Identification
The Tussock Skink, Pseudemoia pagenstecheri, is a medium sized skink, grey-brown or olive above with two dark lines on each side of a pronounced vertebral stripe. A pale stripe a scale wide runs from behind the ear to the tail on scale row 4. It has a snout vent length of up to 62 mm.
Tussock Skink Pseudemoia pagenstecheri
Photographer: Peter Robertson. Source: Wildlife Profiles Pty. Ltd.
Distribution and habitat
The Tussock Skink is found in disjunct populations from the Grampians in the west, through the basalt plains west of Melbourne, to north eastern Victoria. It is usually found in association with grasses.
Biology
Active by day, this sun loving species feeds on small invertebrates. Females give birth to a maximum of 11 live young in late summer.
Further Reading
Cogger, H. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books.
Wilson, S. & Swan, G. 2003. Reptiles of Australia. Princeton University Press.