THE AFRICAN FIVE-LINED SKINK, TRACHYLEPIS QUINQUETAENIATA (LICHTENSTEIN 1823): A NEW ESTABLISHED SPECIES IN FLORIDA
2010. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 17(3): 183-184
Kenneth L. Krysko, Steve A. Johnson, Kyle E. Giddens, Kurt H. Gielow, Travis S. Lowke, William M. Moore, Eric Suarez, Cailey D. Thomas, Alec S. Shoeslon, Joseph P. Burgess, Catherine A. Smith, and Brittany A. Garner
Abstracted from the article: We discovered a previously undocumented introduced lizard species, identified as the African Five-lined Skink, Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein 1823). Digital images of our live and preserved specimens, along with additional images of live animals that were not collected, were sent to colleagues who confirmed our identification (W. Böhme and A. M. Bauer, pers. comm.).
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A pdf of this article is available from the CNAH PDF Library at
http://www.cnah.org/cnah_pdf.asp
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The CNAH Introduced Exotic Taxa page, maintained by CNAH Board Member Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., is now updated to include this new arrival to the Florida melting pot. It can be accessed at
http://www.cnah.org/ex_nameslist.asp
Based on published evidence, this is the 66th exotic herpetofaunal species to be introduced and become established in Canada and the United States.
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Attitude, rather than disposition is more definitive of serpent behavior. From the moment they emerge into this world until they complete their life cycle, their attitude is "Don't tread on me. I am well equipped to defend myself, but content to pass through life unnoticed. I mean no harm to anything or anyone that our creator has not provided as my bill of fare; I am self sustaining and I like it that way, please pass me by." - W.E. Haast
