Trachylepis hoeschi


Trachylepis hoeschi, also known commonly as Hoesch's mabuya and Hoesch's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Mabuyinae of the family Scincidae. The species is native to southwestern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, hoeschi, is in honor of German zoologist Walter Hoesch, who collected the holotype.

Geographic range

T. hoeschi is found in Angola and Namibia.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. hoeschi is arid savanna, where it is found on boulders and rock outcrops, at altitudes of.

Description

Adults of T. hoeschi usually have a snout-to-vent length of. The maximum recorded SVL is. The tail is long, about two times SVL.
Dorsally, T. hoeschi is grayish brown, with transverse bands of dark brown spots. Ventrally, it is white, except for the throat which is yellowish.

Diet

T. hoeschi preys upon insects such as beetles, moths, and wasps.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of T. hoeschi is unknown.