Meet the Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink

Article | Updated 7 years ago

Image of a Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink
Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink
Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink

The Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink, or Egernia depressa, is a terrestrial reptile that can be found in the woodlands of southwestern Australia. 

Image of a Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink

Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink?
Image copyright R. Ellis 

Appearance 

This reptile can grow to 14cm in length, which is reasonably large for a skink.  It is grey-brown in colour with areas of white, and has red eyes.  Its head is short with a blunt snout, and its tail has elongated spines, which helps to deter predators. This includes helping it stay wedged in rock crevices.  

Hidden Away

The Southern Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink’s favourite place to live is in fallen timber and tree hollows, where they can hide from animals that might want to eat them!