Great Desert Skink

Skinks, in the family Scincidae, are a group of 1,274 species of lizards. Skinks mostly live in the ground, burrowing. They are found across the globe, especially in Southeast Asia into Oceania and certain parts of North America. Most skinks have long, tapering tails.

The great desert skink, or Liopholis kintorei, is a type of skink found in south western Australia. They are burrowing nocturnal burrowing animals. Their tunnels are immense, extending up to 12 meters with up to 20 different entrances. Great desert skinks burrows are organized and family based. For example, the skinks pick a particular area outside or dig a particular room to use as a bathroom, thereby keeping their tunnels clean. Adult skinks build the tunnels while younger lizards add small pop holes, mostly staying in the burrows. Juvenile lizards live in the same burrow as their siblings, and research has shown that all immature lizards in the same burrow are full siblings. Great desert skinks are extremely social: recent research shows that the skinks work together to create their intricate burrows. Most great desert skinks pair for their life and are faithful to their mate.