Solomon Islands skink

Description
The giant Solomon Islands skink is the largest known skink. It is characterised by a bulky body and massive head with muscular jaws. It has strong, sharp claws for climbing trees, aided by its long prehensile tail. It has a green colour with yellowish or greyish tones, and sometimes has darker transversal bands.

Behaviour
It is an arboreal reptile with nocturnal habits. It has a very marked territorial behaviour. Males fight each other fiercely. Females are gregarious and live in small groups with their young and protected by a male.  After a gestation period of 6 to 7 months they have a single offspring, sometimes two, about a third of the size of the adult.

Interesting Facts
The low reproductive potential of this skink makes it vulnerable. Its main threats are habitat loss due to extensive logging, illegal collection for the pet trade and consumption by local communities.