Sundevall's Writhing Skink
Mochlus sundevallii
Silhouette: David Orr · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyScincidae (Skinks)
- GenusMochlus
- SpeciesMochlus sundevallii (Sundevall's Writhing Skink)
About the Sundevall's Writhing Skink
Mochlus sundevallii, also known commonly as Peters' eyelid skink, Peters' writhing skink, and Sundevall's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. The specific name, sundevallii, is in honor of Swedish zoologist Carl Jakob Sundevall.
M. sundevallii is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Reptile Database also lists Central African Republic, Sudan, and possibly South Sudan.
The preferred natural habitats of M. sundevallii are shrubland, savanna, and forest, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). M. sundevallii usually has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in), but may grow to almost 9 cm (3.5 in) SVL. Dorsally, it is grayish or light brown, with dark brown speckling. Ventrally, it is uniformly cream-colored, except for the underside of the tail, which may have speckling.
M. sundevallii is oviparous. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Sundevall's Writhing Skink in Gorongosa National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Gorongosa National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruaha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 2 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 4 | Murchison Falls National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 5 | Gorongosa National Park | 🇲🇿 Mozambique | |
| 6 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 7 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |