The dwarf skink is among the smallest reptile species found in Israel. It is a small and delicate skink, with a long neck and tail (about 1.5 times the body length) that give it the appearance of a tiny snake.

Although it is active during the day, it is rather shy and therefore not easily seen. It is usually discovered only when it flees to cover, and then it may also shed its tail.

The species is found in most of Israel’s Mediterranean region and is especially prominent in planted pine groves, where only a few reptile species live.
It is also regularly observed in settlements in the Negev and sometimes in relatively remote desert areas and in oases, as can be seen on the observation map, near water sources and vegetation (something not mentioned in the literature known to us). Similarly, the species is known from remote oases in Jordan and Sinai and is also known from Lebanon and Syria. It may be that the northern populations belong to a different subspecies from the one found in southern Israel and Sinai; in the available literature there are no identification or definition marks at the subspecies level (SCHMIDTLER, 1997).

Werner, Y., Disi, M., Mousa Disi, A.M., Crochet, P-A. & El Din, S.B. (2008). Ablepharus rueppellii. In: IUCN 2009, Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 1 October 2013.

Sighting of a dwarf skink?
Reports can also be sent via WhatsApp! Privately and as part of a group. You can also continue reporting through the website, the roadkill reporting group and the apps: this is an additional channel to the existing ones, all the information is centralized in one system and available on the personal page.