Long-Toed Forest Skink
Sphenomorphus anomalopus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyScincidae (Skinks)
- GenusSphenomorphus (Asian Forest Skinks)
- SpeciesSphenomorphus anomalopus (Long-Toed Forest Skink)
About the Long-Toed Forest Skink
The long-toed forest skink (Sphenomorphus anomalopus) is a species of skink found in Malaysia and Indonesia (Nias, Sumatra, Pinang) which can be identified by an extended/elongated fourth hind foot. Presumably from the Greek anomalos (strange) plus pous (foot). The description emphasizes the abnormal hind foot, with extended toes with strongly keeled lamellae, and a lack of granules on the sole (replaced by imbricate scales).
Very little is known about the species, with just a handful of records, and none between 1915 and 2025, when it was rediscovered in Sumatra during a two-day trek made by Pablo Sinovas. This rediscovery also shed light on the species' “vibrant and contrasting” colouration, micro-habitat and natural history, which had remained a mystery for over a century following its original description. According to observations made in situ in Gunung Leuser National Park, the species inhabits the rain forest floor and, contrary to previous hypothesis, is not arboreal. Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Gunung Leuser National Park
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunung Leuser National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Long-Toed Forest Skink in Gunung Leuser National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Long-Toed Forest Skink sighting in Gunung Leuser National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Long-Toed Forest Skink in Gunung Leuser National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Long-Toed Forest Skink in Gunung Leuser National Park in our monthly data.