Scincus scincus

Scincus ( Scincus scincus )

The scincus ( Scincus scincus ) is a lizard and belongs to the family of skinks ( Scincidae ).

Name factor was the curative effect, which was attributed to the lizard in ancient times against various diseases and ailments. The lizard was pulverized or burned to ash and sold in pharmacies. The Arabs used the powder as an aphrodisiac. In ancient Egypt, the lizard was embalmed and placed the mummies as grave goods in the graves.

Occurrence

It occurs in North Africa and Saudi Arabia and lived there deserts like the Sahara.

Way of life

Because of their mode of transport, which is similar to a fish swims in the water, they became known as sand fish, but see BKL. She lives on the sand and in the sand. When she flees to cooler temperatures strong zones in the sand. But also on the run from enemies such as the Wüstenwaran or diadem snake she digs a flash in the sand. The tremendously rapid movement under the sand is due to special properties of the scales allows ( sandfish effect). His prey lurks scincus often characterized in that he digs in the sand and out fast when shaken of a prey animal.

Features

The lizard reaches a size of about 20 centimeters. It has very smooth scales, in the interstices of which are impenetrable to sand grains and reduce the friction when " swimming" in the sand. In addition, the skin of the lizard has a very large frictional resistance. The eyes and nostrils can be closed. It is excellently camouflaged by the reddish- yellow to brown- yellow color that resembles the sand. Their snout is flattened wedge-shaped. In addition, Frans scales are between her " toes " attached (similar to the European Frans fingers) that facilitate their digging and with which they can better get a grip. Both enables it to quickly dive into the sand.

Nutrition

They feed among others of beetles, spiders and grasshoppers.

Reproduction

The male sits on the back of the female and bites her on her neck firmly. With his cock it pushes the tail of the female up and brings his cloaca to the female. Mating takes place in motion and may take a few seconds to two or three minutes. Sand fish lay in captivity a few weeks after mating 2-10 eggs in the sand. However, they are often described in the German literature as viviparous.