Family : SCINCIDAE
Species : Mabuya macularia
Size (snout to vent) : 7 cm
Size (total length) : 16 cm

References : H1

The Speckled Forest Skink mainly inhabits dry deciduous forests ; the skink in this photo was found in remnant, bamboo-rich, coastal forest on Phuket Island, southern Thailand. It is a leaf litter dweller, where it forages for its food prey of small spiders, insects and other invertebrates. Patience is required to see this species, as it active and fast moving.

In the field, the key identifying feature is the orange-red throat colour in adults, and the two pale bands along the neck and shoulder. Juveniles are grey with a bronze head. As with other Mabuya species the scales are keeled.

The species ranges from Pakistan and India to Indochina, Thailand and down to northern Peninsular Malaysia.