Rainbow Skink Carlia munda
Male , top ; female , bottom
What do they look like ? Small , brown lizards usually seen running between cover . They may stop and wave their tail when approached . There are many species of Rainbow Skinks , distinguished from other lizards because they have four fingers and five toes .
Where do they live ? Rainbow Skinks are generalists . They are able to live in many different habitat types , but mostly prefer open , grassy woodlands with moderate ground cover . Leafy river flats are especially favoured .
What do they need to live , eat and breed ? Rainbow Skinks feed on small invertebrates ( e . g . insects and spiders ). They shelter and feed in leaf litter , occasionally emerging to feed and bask on open ground . They lay their eggs under more substantial cover , such as rocks and logs . Males seem to maintain a territory that they will defend from other males , at least in breeding season .
When might I see ( or hear ) them ? Warm sun patches on the ground on cool mornings are the best time and place to see them . They can be very approachable , as getting warm is a high priority . Eggs may be disturbed if fallen logs are moved .
What management actions affect this species ? Rainbow Skinks require moderate ground cover , particularly leaf litter . Spell country to maintain vigorous native pastures and ground cover . If fire is used , patch burning allows some retention of leaf litter . Skinks avoid Rubber Vine infestations , hence controlling this weed will help them . Control feral and household cats as skinks are a favourite food for cats .
How do they benefit the land I manage ? Rainbow Skinks are a vital part of healthy food chains . They are the most important food source for many small snakes and are also taken by a range of other animals such as Brown Falcons , Australian Kestrels , dunnarts and quolls ( native marsupial cats ). In turn , they are part of a group of species that eat large numbers of small invertebrates ( e . g . grasshoppers ) that eat pasture grasses and crops .
Similar species : Many species of Rainbow Skink occur in this part of Queensland including Carlia vivax , C . pectoralis , C . jarnoldae , C . mundivensis , C . foliorum and C . schmeltzii .
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