This is the largest skink active in daylight (diurnal) and is found in coastal dunes and heaths, or wet and dry forests with rocky outcrops. Ground-dwelling and sun-loving, they eat mostly ants, plus some spiders, beetles, grasshoppers and flies.

When disturbed, they often takes refuge in short, shallow burrows under leaf litter. Females also dig burrows in soft soil under rocks and concrete slabs or use other burrows in which they lay a clutch of 6 eggs.

Size: Up to 36mm

Illustration: Mark Trinham