Prehensile-tailed Skink

More Information

Also known as monkey skinks, prehensile-tailed skinks can grow to 32 inches long, including their tail. They weigh around 2 pounds and are generally olive green with scattered black scales on their back and legs. They have long tails that help them climb.

During the day, these slow-moving reptiles hide in branches and tree hollows. They are ovoviviparous; females hatch eggs inside their body and give birth to one live offspring at a time. Their young stay with their family groups until they move on to form their own groups.

Did You Know?

• Prehensile-tailed skinks spend most of their time in trees. Their prehensile tail helps them balance and grasp branches. It will not regenerate if it is lost, however.
• They are the only skink species that is entirely herbivorous.
• Unlike most reptiles, prehensile-tailed skinks live in family groups that may include bonded adult pairs and their offspring.