About Trachylepis spilogaster (Peters, 1882)
Common and Scientific Names
The Kalahari tree skink, also called spiny mabuya, has the scientific name Trachylepis spilogaster (Peters, 1882). It is a species of lizard that belongs to the skink family, Scincidae.
Distribution Range
This species is endemic to southern Africa, with a range that includes Namibia, South Africa, western Botswana, and southern Angola.
Preferred Habitat
Kalahari tree skinks are known to live around trees that hold the large colonial nests built by sociable weavers.
Predation Risk Context
Higher numbers of these skinks live in these tree areas, even though a known predator of skinks, the pygmy falcon, also nests in these same trees.
Refuge Availability Hypothesis
Researchers theorize that the greater number of available refuge locations outweighs the higher risk of predation in these areas.
Anti-Predator Behavior
Skinks that live on colony trees have also learned to eavesdrop on sociable weavers to get warnings about approaching pygmy falcons.
