Prehensile-Tailed Skink

Population is declining due to its low reproductive rate, habitat destruction (from rapid human development), and commercial collecting for the pet trade.

Solomon Islands (located northeast of Australia) and Bougainville and Baku Islands in Papua New Guinea.

Tropical rainforests of primary growth.

Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal. During the day it takes shelter in the hollows of large forest trees such as the strangler fig.

Herbivorous, feeding on leaves and fruits. In its natural environment, the preferred food is the Solomon Island Creeper plant.