Rainbow Skink

© Leigh Kemp

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.
Kruger National Park - South African Safari