field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of arusha national park

Mabuya varia
(Peters, 1867)
Common names
Variable Skink
Synonyms
Euprepes varius Peters, 1867
Euprepes damaranus Peters, 1870
Taxonomy
No subspecies is actually considered
valid. A recent taxonomical review
(Broadley, 2000) has confirmed that
Mabuya varia nykae do not represent a
valid taxon.
Identification
Amedium sized skink with body length
usually up to 70 mm and exceptionally
117 mm (but individuals found Arusha
National Park usually around 50 mm).
Eyelids movable, the lower one has a
large transparent disc. Dorsal scales
with three keels, midbody scales row 30-
36; limbs well developed (cf. Panaspis
and Lygosoma). White lateral stripe
always present (cf. Mabuya striata). The
colouration can be very variable, the
back is usually olive red-brown with or
without vertebral and dorsolateral stripes
and black blotches; the belly is white.
Head of Mabuya varia
modified from
FitzSimons (1943).
Geographic Range
South eastern Africa, from Eastern Cape
Province in South Africa north to Sudan,
Ethiopia and Somalia. Westward up to
Congo, Angola and Namibia.
Local distribution
The distribution data collected are
scarce; most of the individuals have
been observed in the bushland on the
banks of Ngare Nanyuki river (about two
kilometres up from Momela gate) and in
the grasslands around Kusare post. The
distribution and maximum altitude (1650
m) here presented are probably very
underestimated. Number of animals
observed per hour 0.388.
Ecology and Reproduction
Mabuya varia is a terrestrial species that
can be found around rocks, bushes and
at the base of the trees in savannahs
and montane grasslands. It preys mainly
on insects: beetles, crickets, caterpillars,
termites and a few other invertebrates.
Reproduction usually occur during
the winter, females give birth to 2-4
up to 10 youngs.
Adult from Ngare Nanyuki river.
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