Emoia caeruleocauda (De Vis, 1892)

Common Name and Taxonomy

Emoia caeruleocauda, commonly known as the Pacific bluetail skink or Pacific blue-tail skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae.

General Distribution

It is widespread across the Indo-West Pacific.

Detailed Geographic Range

Its geographic range extends across a wide area from eastern Indonesia, ranging from Sulawesi east and south, through the southern Philippines, New Guinea (which includes Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea), and the Solomon Islands, northward into the Marianas, Carolines, and Marshall Islands of Micronesia, as well as the Fiji Islands, Vanuatu, and Guam.

Doubtful Distribution Record

While it has been reported to occur on Borneo, the IUCN considers this record doubtful.

Habitat Behavior

Emoia caeruleocauda is primarily terrestrial, but it can climb into low scrub to forage and also climb short distances up tree trunks.

Elevation Range

It is mostly a lowland species, though it can be found at elevations up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level.