Subphylum Vertebrata | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Sauria Rank Species | |
Similar Ristella, Scaled reptiles, Sphenomorphus dussumieri, Lygosoma guentheri, Draco dussumieri | ||
Ristella beddomii, commonly known as Beddome's cat skink, is a species of skink endemic to India.
Contents
Etymology
It is named after Richard Henry Beddome (1830–1911) British army officer and botanist.
Description
Ear-opening larger than the nostril; a single azygos prefrontal, nearly as large as the frontonasal; fourth to sixth upper labials below the eye. Body much shorter than in the other species of the genus, the adpressed limbs meeting or slightly overlapping. Dorsal scales sharply bicarinate. 26 scales round the middle of the body. Reddish brown above, with or without 2 or 3 lighter dorsal streaks; sides with scattered minute whitish dots; usually a black blotch with a few white dots above the axilla; lower surfaces uniform whitish. From snout to vent 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
All claws completely retractile, each into a scale sheath.
Geographic range
R. beddomii is found in India (Tenmalai, Travancore, Sharavati River, N Kanara district, Parambikulam).
Reproduction
This species is oviparous. Egg laying coincides with the southwestern monsoons. An adult female may lay a clutch of up to 3 eggs. Each egg measures about 9 mm (0.35 in) x 6 mm (0.24 in).