Research

Bocourt's Giant Skink Phoboscincus bocourti

Conservation status: Endangered - Possibly Extinct

Description: A large and unusual species of skink growing to a body length of 275mm with relatively short limbs, a stout tail approximately equal to the body length, smooth body scales, and large sharply pointed teeth. The colour is uniformly dark brown.

Natural distribution: New Caledonia - no specific location is known.

Conservation status: The species has not been since the only known specimen was described in 1869. Phoboscincus bocourti is the largest New Caledonian scincid lizard, and the most morphologically bizarre. It has an elongate body and large, heavy jaw musculature, and recurved fang-like teeth at the front of the mouth - all of which indicate a highly specialised biology. At this time the species could not equivocally be regarded as extinct.

Future research required:

• no specific research recommended, however, a community response program through schools and colleges utilizing a leaflet with images or model of the animal may provide some clues to the species former and current status

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002