Plestiodon oshimensis
Japanese name: オオシマトカゲ
Chinese name: 大島石龍子
English name: Oshima Blue-tailed Skink
Origin: Amami Islands (except Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima)
The Oshima Blue-tailed Skink is a medium-sized lizard reaching about 20 cm in total length and 6–11 cm in snout-to-vent length. It closely resembles the Ryukyu Blue-tailed Skink (Plestiodon marginatus), which occurs in the Okinawa Islands as well as on Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima. Although it was once treated as a subspecies of P. marginatus, it is now recognized as a distinct species. The specific epithet oshimensis refers to Amami Oshima.
This species is most often seen near coastlines, and on Takarajima, many individuals have been observed along coastal roads. However, it is extremely wary and quickly flees into vegetation when approached. On some islands, populations have declined drastically or even become locally extinct due to predation by introduced species such as the small Indian mongoose and the Japanese weasel.
