Western Limestone CtenotusScientific name: Ctenotus australis

Meaning of name: Ctenotus is from the Greek words cten-, meaning comb, and ot-, meaning ear. Australis is Latin for southern.

Distribution: Ctenotus australis is found along the west coast from around Shark Bay to Mandurah.

Description: Ctenotus australis and C. inornatus are similar. Ctenotus australis has a body length of around 100mm long. The tail can be up to 2.5 times the length of the body. The background colour is greyish-brown. There are whitish stripes, dashes, spots and blotches on the body and tail. Ctenotus australis has six narrow white stripes on the back. Ctenotus inornatus has four.

Notes: Shelters in burrows beneath shrubs, rocks or rubbish.

References: Field Guide to the Reptiles and Frogs of the Perth Region. Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, Robert Browne-Cooper, David Robinson. 2010
Lizards of Western Australia I Skinks. GM Storr, LA Smith, RE Johnstone. 1999