Pygmy spiny-tailed skink

Pygmy spiny-tailed skink
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Egernia
Species:	E. depressa
Binomial name
Egernia depressa (Günther, 1875)
Synonyms
Silubosaurus depressus Günther, 1875

The pygmy spiny-tailed skink, Egernia depressa, sometimes also known as the small spiny-tailed skink, is a species of skink found in western Australia.

The species is endemic to Australia and is found in the states Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia.^[2]

A somewhat social species, pygmy spiny-tailed skinks live in small family groups in the desert. Omnivores, they feed on insects, some flowers, fruits, shoots, and leaves.^[3]

Pygmy spiny-tailed skinks grow up to 16 centimetres long, however, they are able to inflate their bodies larger to jam themselves into crevices as a predator evasion tactic. Their spine-covered tails help block the way.^[3][4] They are known to live in crevices, hollows of trees, and termite mounds.^[3]

The skinks have very spiny back scales and smooth bellies; however, often their dorsal scales become ground down with rocks. Each dorsal scale has three spines, or keels, unlike some other Egernia species. The central spine is the largest, usually twice as long as the two other spines which flank it.^{[5]: 77  [6]: 123}