A remarkable reptile uniquely adapted to life in the desert. As its name suggests, this skink has evolved to ‘swim’ through sand, much like a fish moves through water, making it a fascinating subject of study for biologists and herpetologists.

Native to the arid regions of North Africa and parts of Southwest Asia, the sandfish skink inhabits some of the harshest environments on Earth. Its preferred habitats include the Sahara, Arabian, and deserts of Iran and Pakistan, where temperatures can soar to extremes.

One of the most distinctive features of the sandfish skink is its elongated, streamlined body, which is covered in smooth, shiny scales. These scales reduce friction and allow the skink to dive into and move through the sand quickly. Additionally, the skink’s limbs are short and sturdy, with specially adapted feet that help it to burrow and navigate beneath the sand.

The sandfish skink’s movement through the sand is a marvel of nature. It uses lateral undulation, moving its body in a wavelike motion, to propel itself under the sand’s surface. This not only aids in swift movement to escape predators but also enables the skink to surprise and capture its prey, which includes insects and arachnids. It senses the sand’s surface vibrations to detect and home in on its next meal.

Another unique adaptation of this skink is its sand-filtering system. The nostrils are covered with special scales that prevent sand from entering the respiratory system. Furthermore, the sandfish skink has a clear membrane that covers its eyes to protect them from the abrasive sand while allowing it to see as it moves beneath the surface.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Algeria

2014

Bahrain

2014

Egypt

2014

Iran

2014

Iraq

2014

Israel

2014

Jordan

2014

Kuwait

2014

Libya

2014

Mali

2014

Mauritania

2014

Niger

2014

Saudi Arabia

2014

Sudan

2014

Tunisia

2014

UAE

2014

Yemen

2014