FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) stands apart from other skink species in various ways. It's the only skink species with a prehensile tail and is the king of all skinks in size. This skink, also known as the Solomon Islands skink is the largest and the only one that is completely herbivorous. They are commonly known as the prehensile-tailed skink, zebra skink, Solomon Island skink, and giant skink. The former part of their common name 'prehensile-tailed' originates from 'prehendere', a Latin verb, that implies 'to grasp or seize'. These lizards have a prehensile tail as their name suggests, also called a 'monkey tail'. This tail helps them when climbing tree branches in their natural habitat.
These giant lizards are found across the Solomon Islands. Their color varies between shades of light yellow and green and their diet in the wild comprises leaves, flowers, fruit, and growing shoots. To know more about their habitat, diet, and behavior, and much more about these fascinating reptiles, we suggest you keep reading!
If you like reading about the monkey-tailed skink, we are sure you'd love to read these cool facts about the frilled lizard and the blue-tongued skink!
The prehensile-tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata) is a giant lizard of the family Scincidae and the genus Corucia. They are the only herbivorous skinks and have a diet that comprises flowers, leaves, growing shoots, and fruits.
These prehensile-tailed skinks belong to the class Reptilia.
The exact population of these Solomon Island skink lizards is not yet known. However, this species of skink is protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for their conservation.
The prehensile-tailed skink lives in the rainforest. They are animals that dwell in forested areas. Only the Solomon Islands, an extensive group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia, is home to prehensile-tailed skinks. These arboreal animals are indigenous to these islands.
These skinks with prehensile tails are completely arboreal, barely moving on the ground. They've adjusted effectively to their daily existence in the branches and holes of trees. They support themselves by grasping tree branches with their large, prehensile tails. Prehensile-tailed skinks hide between branches and tree holes throughout the day. They are energetic and lively early in the morning, early in the evening, and occasionally at night. They eat leaves and fruit as they glide slowly through the trees. The Solomon Island creeper plant is one of their favorites.
Prehensile-tailed skinks are timid and solitary, yet they are also very gregarious for reptiles. One or maybe more bonded pairs of adults, as well as many other more familiar or unfamiliar skinks, establish social clusters.
These prehensile-tailed skinks (Corucia zebrata) can live anywhere between 25-35 years, sometimes even more!
These reptiles are one of the very few species of reptiles that can produce live offspring. The female prehensile-tailed skink can give birth to one or two offspring, rarely three. This reptile's gestation period lasts for seven to eight months. Young prehensile-tailed skinks are significantly large; they are nearly a third the size of their mother. Male and female skinks of this species care for their young together. Offsprings of the Solomon Island skink reside with their family and in groups of this species until they are mature to start their very own family groups.
The conservation status of the prehensile-tailed skink has not been evaluated yet. However, these animals face threats. On the Solomon Islands, they are reportedly threatened in the wild because of habitat destruction and an over-collection of this species for the pet trade. Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) protects prehensile-tailed skinks and exporting them from the Solomon Islands is prohibited. Deforestation in the Solomon Islands is also accelerating due to agriculture, putting pressure on species like the prehensile-tailed skink.
This species of skink has a prehensile tail of a long length, commonly referred to as a monkey tail, and a wide head comprising a strong pair of jaws. They have sharp, pointed teeth. They can grow up to 32 in (81 cm) in length while weighing between the range of 14-28 oz (396-793 g). The body of these arboreal reptiles is cylinder-shaped and comprises short legs and a prehensile tail. Their skin has scales all over it that are green colored and they also gave brown and black colored splotches.
This species can be considered adorable because of its green scaly skin that has spots all over it. However, to some, they might be a little creepy to look at.
Except during the mating season when they use pheromones, these reptiles have few accounts of conversing with each other.
An adult prehensile-tailed skink can grow as long as 32 in (81 cm) towards the tip of the tail beginning from its nose. The prehensile tails of these animals account for more than half of their total length! These prehensile-tailed skinks are eight times the size of garden skinks!
The speed of the prehensile-tailed skink species is not yet known. However, we do know that they are fast climbers, and can climb up a tree very fast. The top speed of the skink species overall is 65 mph (104 km/hr).
The prehensile-tailed skink weighs anywhere in the range of 14-28 oz (396-793 g).
There are no specific names for males and females in the prehensile-tailed skink species.
A baby of the prehensile-tailed skink, Corucia zebrata, is referred to as offspring, juvenile or young.
These Solomon Island skinks have a diet that comprises flowers, leaves, growing shoots, and fruits in the wild. Snakes, birds of prey, and rats may prey on prehensile-tailed skinks. People who catch these arboreal animals illegally for the pet trade also pose a threat. When the Solomon Island skink is disturbed, this usually calm and slow-moving reptile will hiss and bite to defend itself.
No, these reptiles are not poisonous.
These giant skinks are challenging to be kept as pets. A big enclosure and constant heat for digestion are required for these animals if kept in captivity. Monkey-tailed skink care includes a healthy and nutritious diet along with regular baths in tepid water which prevents stress.
Corucia zebrata was the name given to the Solomon Islands skink by John Edward Gray in the year 1855.
They have a price range of $1,249-1,749. Due to significant deforestation in their natural environment, prehensile-tailed skinks have been classified as endangered. As a result, it's critical to ensure that the pet reptile is bred in captivity in the USA rather than being captured in the wild.
The offsprings of skinks reside with their family group for at least six to 12 months. They eat the placental sac after their birth for the initial two days. These babies consume the feces of their parents to acquire the very important 'microflora' that helps them with the digestion process. They separate when they become mature enough to start their family groups.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our monitor lizard facts and iguana facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Monkey-tailed skink coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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