Melanoseps loveridgei


Melanoseps loveridgei, also known commonly as Loveridge's limbless skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Scincinae of the family Scincidae. The species is native to East Africa.

Description

Relatively large for its genus, Melanoseps loveridgei may attain a total length of. The tail length is about 25% of the total length. There are 18 scale rows around the body at midbody. Coloration is gray or black dorsally and lighter ventrally.

Geographic range

Melanoseps loveridgei is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Melanoseps loveridgei are forest and savanna.

Behavior

Melanoseps loveridgei is terrestrial and fossorial.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of Melanoseps loveridgei has been variously described as being viviparous and as being ovoviviparous.

Etymology

The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of British herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.