Rainbow Skink
Name
Five-Lined Mabuya, Rainbow Skink or Rainbow - Mabuya [Trachylepis margaritifera]
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Scincidae
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of the Five-lined Mabuya with a former sub-species Mabuya quinquetaeniata margaritifera been granted full species status in 1998. Trachylepis quinquetaeniata quinquetaeniata / Trachylepis quinquetaeniata langheldi / Trachylepis quinquetaeniata riggenbachi
Length_F
85 - 110 mm
Length_M
85 - 110 mm
Description
A large, beautifully coloured skink with a small, transparent window in each lower eyelid. The relatively long forelimbs and hind limbs overlap when pressed against the body. Colouration is varied, depending on its sex and age.
Distribution
The Five-lined Mabuya is found from Kwa-Zulu Natal, through the Lowveld and Zimbabwe to Algeria and Senegal.
Breeding
The female lays 6 - 10 eggs in summer. The young hatch after 61 - 62 days. It is possible that 2 clutches are laid per season, particularly in the northern populations.
Diet
The Five-lined Mabuya feeds predominantly on insects.
