Observations on the skink lizard Egernia whitii (Lacepede)

Observations on the habitat, activity, food, reproduction, growth, moulting, 10ngevilty and abnormalities of the lizard Egernia whitii (Lacepede) are recorded. Information on the keeping of the lizard in captivity is given. E. whitii is most active at temperatures between 24'C. and 29C. becoming dormant below 13C. It feeds largely on ants, beetles, bugs and spiders. In the vicinity of Hobart mating of the lizard takes place in October. Pregnant females carry from one to five embryos and most births occur in February. E. whitii takes at least four years to attain a snout-vent length of ~O mm. and moults from three to five times a year. Its life span is estimated to be more than eight and a half years.