### **Tasmanian Tree Skink (*Carinascincus pretiosus*)**
Identification
A master of the vertical world, the Tasmanian Tree Skink is a small but robust lizard (50–60mm snout-to-vent). Its dorsum is a rich, coppery bronze or olive-brown, heavily peppered with dark chocolate flecks. To distinguish it from the similar Metallic Skink (*C. metallicus*), look for its stouter build and the distinct pale, dark-edged stripe running from the eye down the flank. Underneath, breeding males often flush a stunning salmon-pink or orange. A key diagnostic feature for the patient observer is the "palpebral disc"—a transparent window in the lower eyelid that allows the skink to see even when its eyes are closed.
Habitat & Range
This species is a Tasmanian icon, found nowhere else on Earth except the main island and the rugged outcrops of the Bass Strait. While its name suggests a forest life, it is remarkably versatile. You’ll find it from sea-level coastal scrub to sub-alpine woodlands. It thrives wherever there is "vertical complexity"—think lichen-encrusted dolerite boulders, fallen logs in wet sclerophyll forests, and the deeply fissured bark of ancient Eucalyptus trees.
Behaviour
Unlike many skittish ground skinks, *C. pretiosus* is a bold, agile scrambler. It is diurnal, spending its mornings flattened against sun-warmed wood or stone to soak up UV rays. They are surprisingly social; it’s common to see a "clique" of several individuals sharing a single prime basking log. As a viviparous species, females give birth to 2–4 fully formed live young, an evolutionary adaptation to Tasmania’s unpredictable, chilly climate.
Diet
These are opportunistic, active foragers. They dart with lightning speed to snatch up small invertebrates, including beetles, flies, and spiders. In coastal areas, they have even been observed scavenging around seabird colonies, proving they are as hardy as they are handsome.
Fascinating Fact
The Tasmanian Tree Skink is a literal "skydiver." When a predator like a kookaburra strikes, this skink doesn't just run—it launches itself into the abyss. It will fearlessly leap from high branches or cliff faces, splaying its limbs to "parachute" through the air to the safety of the leaf litter below!