Ctenotus strauchii
Ctenotus strauchii, also known commonly as the eastern barred wedge-snout ctenotus or Strauch's ctenotus, is a small species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and is found throughout semi-arid and arid regions in most of Australia's mainland states except Western Australia, although one record does exist for Western Australia in 1975.
Etymology
The specific name, strauchii, is in honour of Russian herpetologist Alexander Strauch.Description
C. strauchii is a small skink, that has an average snout-to-vent length of, and varies in colour from chocolate brown to reddish-brown. A series of pale spots are enclosed by a black laterodorsal stripe, which is edged by a white dorsolateral stripe. This stripe is bordered above by a line of small black blotches. The upper flanks are black with a series of between 1 and 3 pale mostly vertical dots. A narrow white stripe may run from below the eye right through the mid body, where it passes through the groin and continues as a lower lateral stripe until it breaks up into spots of flecks of white along the side of the tail.Reproduction
C. strauchii is oviparous, which means it lays eggs. This contrasts with other skink species which are live bearers. Egg clutch size is unknown.Conservation status
The conservation status of Ctenotus strauchii is listed as Least Concern risk. It does not qualify for a more at-risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.Threats
Although listed as common C. strauchii is not immune to environmental threats such as:- Climate change
- Habitat destruction
- Habitat degradation
- Feral predators such as foxes, dogs and cats
- Disease
- Cane toads