About Lerista punctatovittata (Günther, 1867)
Size
This species, Lerista punctatovittata, has an average body length of around 8.5 cm, and reaches a maximum body length of 10.5 cm.
Coloration
Its body color can be grey, olive, or various shades of brown, and is patterned with several longitudinal bands made up of brown or black spots.
Ear Opening
The ear opening is small, but is visible when examined closely.
Hindlimb Structure
Both its limbs and toes are very small; the hindlimbs have two toes, a trait called didactyly.
Forelimb Structure
Most individuals have only one toe on each forelimb, a trait called monodactyly, although a small number of individuals from southern areas have been recorded with two toes on each forelimb.
Similar Species Distinction
It can be difficult to tell these two-toed forelimb individuals apart from Lerista emmotti, another similar skink species.
Habitat
Lerista punctatovittata is distributed across a variety of semi-arid and sandy habitats, including dry forests, open woodlands, mulga, and mallee scrub.
Geographic Range
Its range extends from south-eastern South Australia, through north-western Victoria and New South Wales, to the southern interior of Queensland.
