Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Infraorder Scincomorpha Scientific name Gongylomorphus bojerii Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Lacertilia Family Scincidae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Similar Gongylomorphus, Leiolopisma telfairii, Round Island day gecko, Serpent Island gecko, Leiolopisma | ||
Bojer's skink (Gongylomorphus bojerii, formerly Scelotes bojeri ) is a species of small skink endemic to Mauritius and some of its offshore islands.
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Etymology
Both the specific name, bojerii, and the common name, Bojer's skink, are in honor of Czech naturalist Wenceslas Bojer.
Description
G. bojerii is about 11 cm (4.3 in) in total length, including a 6 cm (2.4 in) tail. It has five digits on each extremity.
Geographic range
Bojer's skink occurs in patches of the Black River Gorges National Park and on some off-shore islands of Mauritius including Ilot Vacoas, Round Island, Serpent Island, Ilot Gabriel, Pigeon Rock, Flat Island, Gunner’s Quoin, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile de la Passe.
Threats
The Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus) has aided in the decline of this skink. Thanks to the efforts of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, this invasive species of mammal was eradicated from the habitat of Bojer's skink. Also, captive breeding and reintroduction efforts at the Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary have helped to increase the population of G. bojerii.