About Scincella gemmingeri (Cope, 1864)
Body Form
Like all species in the genus Scincella, Scincella gemmingeri has a long, cylindrical body with short limbs.
Coloration
This skink is dark gray in color, with a dark stripe that starts at the snout and extends along the dorsolateral side of its body.
Size
Its maximum recorded snout-vent length (SVL) is approximately 45 mm, equal to 1.8 inches.
Distribution
Scincella gemmingeri is native to coastal areas of the Mexican state of Veracruz, as well as multiple surrounding Mexican states.
Primary Habitat
As its common name, forest ground skink, suggests, this species lives primarily in forests.
Habitat Specifics
Specific forest types it inhabits include rainforests, oak forests, cloud forests, and tropical evergreen forests, found at altitudes ranging from 200 to 2,000 m (660 to 6,560 ft).
Additional Habitat
It can also sometimes be found on pastureland.
Reproduction
Scincella gemmingeri reproduces via ovoviviparity.
