Nessia hickanala

Nessia hickanala

Shark-headed snake skink, Hickanala nessia

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Nessia hickanala

Nessia hickanala, also known as the shark-headed snake skink and Hickanala nessia, is a species of skink endemic to island of Sri Lanka.

Appearance

Midbody scales rows 2–21. Body is elongated and limbless. Head flattened, wedge-shaped. Eyes greatly reduced. Lower eyelid comprising three transparent scales. Ears are small. Dorsal scales enlarged. Dorsum and venter are pinkish brown. Scales dark brown.

Distribution

Geography

A fossorial skink, known only from the dry North West. One specimen was found from a depth of 6 cm under a heap of coconut branches at Pomparippu, Snout 8 km from the coast. Species is also known from Wilpattu National Park.

Mating Habits

2 eggs are laid in loose soil.

References

1. Nessia hickanala Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessia_hickanala

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About