Scincus scincus
Scincus scincus, also commonly known as the sandfish skink, common sandfish or common skink, is a species of skink notable for its burrowing or swimming behaviour in sand. It is native to the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula, but is also kept as a pet elsewhere. Description The name Algerian sandfish originated because of its ability to move through sand as if it were swimming. Adult common skinks usually reach about 20 cm (8 inches) in length, including the short tail. The common skink has developed a unique way of dealing with the desert heat: it can dive into loose, soft sand. Its winding movements produce vibrations in the sand, with a consistent frequency of 3 Hz. It does this to prevent its body from overheating and to escape potential predators, such as the Saharan Sand Viper (Cerastes vipera) This skink has a long, wedge-shaped snout with a countersunk lower jaw, shaped much like a basket. Its compact, tapered body is covered with smooth, shiny scales that may appear oily to the untrained eye, and its legs are short and sturdy with long, flattened and fringed shovel-like feet. The tail is short, tapering to a fine point. The coloration