An Animal A Day

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Western Skink

The Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus) is a small, smooth-scaled lizard with relatively small limbs, measuring about 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) from snout to vent. It is one of five species of lizards in Canada.

Western Skink, Eumeces skiltonianus

Description

The Western Skink is a secretive and very agile lizard that forages actively through leaf litter and dense vegetation, preying upon small invertebrates. It is a good burrower and sometimes constructs burrows several times its own body length.

Found in a variety of habitats from sea level to at least 2,130 m (7,000 ft), the Western Skink is commonest in early successional stages or open areas within habitats in which it occurs. Heavy brush and densely forested areas are generally avoided. The Western Skink seems to prefer a somewhat moist environment, although it can also be found on dry hillsides. The soil of its nest chambers is invariably moist. Standing water is apparently not required.

The Western Skink is brown in color and has four white or beige stripes, two on the back and one on each side. Juveniles have bright blue tails.

Life History

This skink is diurnal during the period of warm-season activity. During summer most activity is concentrated in the morning and late afternoon. Where summer temperatures are not extreme, activity extends throughout the day. Adult skinks usually become inactive by early fall but juveniles extend their period of activity several weeks.

The reproductive season for this species varies geographically and from year to year depending on local conditions. Mating probably occurs in the spring soon after emergence. Males turn orange on the underside when they are breeding. Females lay 2-6 eggs during June and July in nest chambers constructed in loose, moist soil under rocks, logs, or other cover.

Young Western Skinks probably hatch in late summer, and sexual maturity may occur at 2 years of age, but most individuals probably do not reproduce until they are 3 years old. Western Skinks can reach an age of about 5 or 6 years.

Issue #424

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Goliath Birdwing

The Goliath Birdwing (Ornithoptera goliath) is the second-largest butterfly in the world. It lives in Indonesian rainforests and has a wingspan up to 11 inches (28 centimeters). The locals from Papua New Guinea farm these butterflies in the wild as a means of generating income from the environment without destroying it Harvesting the butterflies is legal and does require a permit. It is a rare butterfly, but harvesting does not endanger it.

Goliath Birdwing, Ornithoptera goliath

The males have black, yellow and green wings and a yellow and black body, while the females are brown and white on the top wings and yellow on the bottom wings. The female is typically larger than the male. Flight is leisurely, but controlled and powerful. Males pursue their females for long distances, rising high over the forest canopy then folding their wings and diving down to tree level to mate, even though they risk hindwing damage by the sharp tarsal claws of females.

Issue #425

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Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel

The Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel (Histiobranchus bathybius) is a cutthroat eel of the genus Histiobranchus, found around the world at depths of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres. Its length is between 40 and 90 centimetres.

Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel, Histiobranchus bathybius

The Deepwater Arrowtooth Eel has a typical eel shape but with a long pointed snout, and a dorsal fin which starts above the pectoral fin and an anal fin beginning about halfway along the body. There are many rows of small teeth in the jaws and on the roof of the large mouth. The gill apertures are horizontal and almost meet beneath the throat, hence the name cutthroat eel.

The scale arrangement is typical of the family and is similar to the Basketwork Eel. The colour varies from a uniform dark grey to completely black.

Little else is known about this fish due to the extreme depth in which it lives.

Issue #426

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