A new species has been found in Taiwan !

Dr. Wen-Shan Huang, a researcher at the National Museum of Natural Science, has discovered the White-spotted skink on the Green Island . This species, which was thought to be the common Chinese Skink, was proven to be a Taiwanese endemic species after verification by Dr. Huang. According to Dr. Huang, these lizards were discovered by Japanese on the Green Island , and the finding was subsequently published. However, only juveniles were discovered at the time. Dr. Huang not only has discovered juveniles, he also found the presence of adults as well. Their appearances change drastically as they mature from juveniles into adults.

Dr. Huang named these lizards the White-spotted skink, based on the presence of white pots on the adults. However, these spots disappear from the adult males, although they remain on adult females.

The young White-spotted skins are very pretty, sporting a bright violet coloration on its skin, and glistens underneath the sunlight. However, this beautiful coat disappears when they mature into adults.

There are three types of Chinese skinks in Taiwan , remarked by Dr. Huang. They are the White-spotted Chinese Skink, the Chinese Skink and the Elegant Five-Lined Skink, the latter two can also be found in China . Many people are confused by the distinction between a skink and a lizard, however a closer look at their morphology will resolve this confusion.

Dr. Huang said, “the skinks are shorter, chubbier and more active; they are more sensitive to intrusions by foreign objects. In contrast, lizards are thinner, more slender and smaller than the skinks, and they are less sensitive to foreign intrusions.”

The White-spotted skinks are not difficult to find on Green Island ; they can be seen sunbathing around 8 and 9am in the morning. If you have a chance to visit Green Island , try to observe one of these fascinating lizards.