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Rothschild’s Skink

Paracontias rothschildi

About

Rothschild’s skink is one of several species in the genus Paracontias which, diverged from all other living species more than 30 million years ago!

It is part of the Scincidae family, which last shared a common ancestor with other lizards 80 million years ago, about the time that humans and slow lorises shared a common ancestor.

All individuals are in a single location, and their range is less than 100 km². This species is found within dune habitat that may soon be mined, therefore habitat loss and degradation is likely to be a major threat for this species. The forested areas are also under pressure due to charcoal production and agricultural conversion, as well as the harvesting of tubers.

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. The establishment of protected areas would be a conservation priority to reduce habitat loss.

  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Scincidae
  • Population: Unknown
  • Trend: unknown

EDGE Score

EDGE Score: 5.69 (?)
ED Score: 17.510 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

This species is found in northern Madagascar.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is a sand dweller in coastal dunes. It can be found on sandy ground in degraded coastal dry forest.

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