Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Sauropsida Family Scincidae | |
Shark-headed Snake Skink, Nessia hickanala, also known as Hickanala nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.
Contents
Description
Midbody scales rows 2-21. Body is elongated and limbless. Head flattened, wedge-shaped. Eyes greatly reduced. Lower eyelid comprising three transparent scales. Ears are small. Dorsal scales enlarged. Dorsum and venter are pinkish brown. Scales dark brown.
Distribution and habitat
A fossorial skink, known only from the dry North West. One specimen was found from a depth of 6cm under a heap of coconut branches at Pomparippu, Snout 8km from the coast. Species is also known from Wilpattu National Park.
Ecology and diet
Inhabits lowlands, under 50m.
Reproduction
2 eggs are laid in loose soil.
References
Nessia hickanala Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA