Liopholis multiscutata (Mitchell & Behrndt, 1949)

Common Name and Build

Liopholis multiscutata, commonly called the southern heath (bull) skink, is a medium-sized skink with a robust build.

Dorsal Coloration and Size

Its dorsal coloration ranges from sandy to reddish-brown, and adult individuals reach a snout-vent length of 80 to 95 millimeters.

Sexual Dimorphism

This species shows clear sexual dimorphism: males are typically larger and more brightly colored than females.

Distinction from Related Species

It resembles the closely related Liopholis whitii, but can be distinguished by several consistent physical traits.

Interparietal Scale Trait

In mature L. multiscutata, the interparietal scale on the top of the head is as wide as, or wider than, the frontal scale.

Subdigital Lamellae Texture

The subdigital lamellae, the scales located under the toes, have a bicarinate, or two-ridged, texture.

Dorso-Lateral Stripe Markings

The species also has two or three rows of small white or yellow spots within the dark dorso-lateral stripe that runs along its back.

Flank Scale Pattern

Unlike L. whitii, the flanks of L. multiscutata have mixed pale and dark scales that rarely form distinct eye-like markings called ocelli.

Mid-Body Scale Count

It has 37 to 46 smooth scale rows at mid-body.

Endemic Range

This skink is endemic to southern Australia.

Distribution Area

Its range covers western Victoria, Kangaroo Island, the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas in South Australia, and extends to coastal areas of southern Western Australia, including many offshore islands.

Victoria Population Distribution

In Victoria, the species is restricted to four small, highly isolated populations that live in semiarid mallee dunefields.

General Habitat Types

The primary habitats of the heath skink are open forest, low open woodland (often with rock outcrops), coastal dunes, and heathlands.

Substrate Specialization

It is a cryptic, burrowing species specialized to live in sandy or loamy soils.

Burrow Structure

It builds complex connected tunnel networks called warrens, most often on and around large sand dune crests.

Warrens Characteristics

Like warrens built by other species in the Liopholis genus, these structures usually have multiple entrances and are positioned at the base of small to medium-sized shrubs.

Victoria Habitat Vegetation

All known heath skink populations in Victoria are located within the Lowan Mallee bioregion, where they occur in the Mallee Heath Ecological Vegetation Class, a low open scrubland habitat with heathy shrubs dominated by Banksia ornata (desert banksia), Leptospermum myrsinoides (heath tea tree), and Callitris verrocusa (scrub cypress pine).