Ctenotus strauchii, also known commonly as the eastern barred wedge-snout ctenotus or Strauch's ctenotus, is a small species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and is found throughout semi-arid and arid regions in most of Australia's mainland states except Western Australia, although one record does exist for Western Australia in 1975.[3]
The specific name, strauchii, is in honour of Russian herpetologist Alexander Strauch.[4]
C. strauchii is a small skink, that has an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.5 cm (2.2 in), and varies in colour from chocolate brown to reddish-brown.[5] A series of pale spots are enclosed by a black laterodorsal stripe, which is edged by a white dorsolateral stripe.[6] This stripe is bordered above by a line of small black blotches.[5] The upper flanks are black with a series of between 1 and 3 pale mostly vertical dots.[5] A narrow white stripe may run from below the eye right through the mid body, where it passes through the groin and continues as a lower lateral stripe until it breaks up into spots of flecks of white along the side of the tail.[5]
C. strauchii is oviparous, which means it lays eggs.[7] This contrasts with other skink species which are live bearers (viviparous). Egg clutch size is unknown.[8]
The conservation status of Ctenotus strauchii is listed as Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) risk.[7] It does not qualify for a more at-risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Although listed as common C. strauchii is not immune to environmental threats such as:
C. strauchii inhabits areas with hard stony soils with minimal vegetation cover in woodland and scrubland areas, within the semi-arid and dry regions of Eastern Australia.[6] It is found amongst debris such as fallen timber, leaf litter and other debris within mallee, savannah woodland and grassland areas[5] C. strauchii was given its scientific name by George Albert Boulenger a Belgian-British zoologist who described and gave scientific names to over 2,000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Skinks of the genus Ctenotus are often called comb-eared skinks, a reference to the scales aligned near the ear. They are active, diurnal lizards found in a variety of habitats.
Ctenotus strauchii has been recorded in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory[3]
Ctenotus strauchii, also known commonly as the eastern barred wedge-snout ctenotus or Strauch's ctenotus, is a small species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and is found throughout semi-arid and arid regions in most of Australia's mainland states except Western Australia, although one record does exist for Western Australia in 1975.
