About Cryptoblepharus litoralis (Mertens, 1958)
Cryptoblepharus litoralis, described by Mertens in 1958, is a small skink commonly known by several common names: the coastal snake-eyed skink, supralittoral shinning-skink, and coastal tree skink. This species is found in North Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea. It typically inhabits rocky outcrops on beaches and headlands, not far from the water, where it moves quickly to hunt small insects. The genus name Cryptoblepharus means "hidden eyelid", and the specific epithet litoralis means "intertidal". This skink reaches approximately 55 mm in snout-to-vent length, and has a dark-brown to black body marked with white to beige spots. The lower surfaces of its feet are shiny black. It is very similar to the species Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus, which differs by having brownish lower foot surfaces.
