Eastern Water Skink: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Skinks, Geckos and Snakes · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. No eggs here: unlike many reptiles, this skink gives birth to live babies, up to nine at a time, in the Australian summer.
2. Two thin golden stripes run from above each eye down its body. They are probably why it is also called the golden water skink.
3. Life by the creek means a big menu: water beetles, snails, tadpoles, spiders, small fish, smaller lizards and even native fruit.
4. It warms up on sunny rocks, but stays alert. Kookaburras often hunt it, so it races off its basking spot at the first hint of danger.
5. Males follow two life plans. Some hold a territory, while floaters roam farther over a larger home range.

The quiz

1. How are eastern water skink babies born?

• They hatch from eggs in sand
• They are born alive (correct)
• They hatch from eggs in water
• They hatch from eggs in trees

This skink gives birth to live young, up to nine at a time.

2. Which other name comes from its yellow stripes?

• Tiger skink
• Ruby skink
• Golden water skink (correct)
• Silver creek skink

Its pale yellow stripes probably gave it the name golden water skink.

3. Which of these is on its menu?

• Tadpoles (correct)
• Grass seeds only
• Bird eggs only
• Tree bark

It eats many creekside animals, including tadpoles, snails and small fish.

4. Which bird often hunts the eastern water skink?

• The emu
• The pelican
• The cockatoo
• The laughing kookaburra (correct)

The laughing kookaburra is a common predator of this skink.

5. What do floater males do?

• Roam over larger areas (correct)
• Guard one rock all year
• Stay in the water
• Carry the babies

Floater males have larger home ranges and travel farther than territorial males.

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