SPECIES: Liopholis montana — Mountain Skink
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
High in Australia’s alpine and subalpine regions, the Mountain Skink makes its home among rocky outcrops, grasslands, and woodlands. This secretive lizard is part of a fascinating group of skinks known for their social behaviour, often living in small family groups—a rare trait among reptiles.
The Mountain Skink is specially adapted to cold conditions, relying on sun-warmed rocks to regulate its body temperature. It primarily feeds on insects and small plant matter, playing an important role in the delicate alpine ecosystem. However, this unique species is facing increasing threats: habitat loss – land clearing and changes to vegetation impact its shelter and food sources, climate change – rising temperatures and reduced snow cover are altering its specialised habitat and feral predators – cats and foxes, preying on skinks in exposed areas.
Photo: DCCEEW