Ateuchosaurus okinavensis
Japanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲ
Chinese name: 沖繩光蜥
English name: Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Origin: Okinawa Islands
The genus Ateuchosaurus is characterized by very short limbs and currently includes three species:
- Amami Short-Legged Skink (Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus): distributed in the Amami Islands, Tokara Islands, and Osumi Islands
- Okinawa Short-Legged Skink (Ateuchosaurus okinavensis): distributed in the Okinawa Islands
- Chinese Short-Legged Skink (Ateuchosaurus chinensis): distributed in southeastern China, Vietnam, and Taiwan
The Okinawa Short-Legged Skink reaches a total length of about 10–13 cm and is often active under forest leaf litter, making it difficult to observe. On Okinawajima, it may be preyed upon by introduced species such as small Indian mongooses and feral cats.
