30-11-2015 ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA - REEVE'S LEAF LITTER SKINK (Scincella reevesii)

Scincella reevesii (common name: Reeves's smooth skink) is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

The specific name, reevesii, is in honor of English naturalist John Reeves.

S. reevesii is found in southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong), Indochina (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam) and south to Western Malaysia, Myanmar, India, and Nepal. There is also a questionable record from Korea. Reports from Bangladesh represent Sphenomorphus maculatus.

Total length up to 13 cm; snout-vent length 6 cm.

Body slim and bronze brown in colour, with a black dorsolateral stripe, extending from eye to tail;the stripe heavily speckled with tan along its entire length.

Males have a red patch on lower flanks, behind the forelegs, with a greenish tinge behind it.

Head rather small, with a somewhat pointed snout.

Labials and side of neck pale, with a few black speckles and flecks.

Underside of belly bright yellow in males; white in females.

Tail long and slim. Tail underside orange-yellow in males; greyish blue in females. Scales smooth.

Occurs in a wide variety of habitats such as cultivation, suburban gardens, grassland, shrubland, plantation woodland and edges of secondary forest.

Often very abundant in cultivated lowlands and shrubby hillsides.

Diurnal. Usually seen scampering through leaf litter or found underneath debris such as old boards, where several individuals may be found at one time. Darts swiftly away when approached.

Feeds mainly on tiny crickets, termites, beetle larvae, woodlice and other small arthropods.

Ovoviviparous. Breeds in spring. Gravid females frequently found in May.Bearing 2-3 young, which are approximately 2.5 cm in total length.

Very widely distributed throughout the New Territories and all major islands.

Recorded from southern China and Southeast Asia.