Tussock Skink

About the Tussock Skink

Pseudemoia pagenstecheri, also known commonly as the southern grass tussock skink and the southern tussock grass skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Eugongylinae of the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

The specific name, pagenstecheri, is in honour of German zoologist Heinrich Alexander Pagenstecher. Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is found in eastern New South Wales, Tasmania, and northeastern Victoria, Australia. The preferred natural habitat of Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is tussock grassland, especially medium to tall tussock grass.

Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is viviparous. Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is known to hybridize with two other species in its genus, P. cryodroma and P. entrecasteauxii. The southern grass tussock skink is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species. However, it is acknowledged that the current population is decreasing, especially in the Western Volcanic Plains of Melbourne. This is further confirmed by the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act listing the species as "Endangered" in the Volcanic Plains... Wikipedia →