Emerald Tree Skink

About the Emerald Tree Skink

Lamprolepis smaragdina, the emerald tree skink, is also sometimes (ambiguously) known as green tree skink or emerald green skink. It is a non-threatened species which is not commonly seen, but it is becoming more popular in the exotic pet trade.

The emerald tree skink is generally bright lime green in color, with large black eyes rimmed with yellow. However, their rear limbs or the lower half of their body may be medium brown with white speckling. In some cases, the entire body is brown or speckled with black. They are generally between 8.5-10" in total length.

It is known as 'kuka' in the Kotos Amarasi language of West Timor, Indonesia. In the Philippines, it is called 'tabili' in Cebuano and in Waray. Linkem, et al. (2013) found that the most divergent clades of L. smaragdina were in Sulawesi. Oceanic populations represent the most recent expansions. The origin of populations on most islands is attributed primarily to waif dispersals prior to human colonization, although human-aided dispersals cannot be ruled out for some populations.

It is found in arboreal forests of Taiwan, Palawan, Luzon... Wikipedia →