Skinklike Forest Lizards

An adult male D. delasagra In Cuba, the family Diploglossidae is represented by 3 species of secretive, fossorial, forest dwelling lizards of the genus Diploglossus, that look overall, very much like skinks. In fact, with their polished scales and narrow head, they were at one time classified as skinks. This species is known to hybridize with at least one, and possibly with both, other species in the genus at the eastern end of its large range. Luckily, we found 1 species, D. delasagra. It, a small, shiny, and short, legged species, will writhe quickly beneath leaf litter if exposed. It also seeks shelter beneath rocks and fallen tree trunks and limbs. It is adult at a length of about 9 inches, of which a bit more than half is tail length. Dorsal color is a warm brown, the sides vary from chocolate brown to black. The belly is yellowish. Oviparous, one female found recently was coiled around 5 soft-shelled eggs. Hatchlings are colored like the adults.

A pair of D. delasagra with 5 freshly laid eggs.

.A pair of Diploglossus delasagra with a single egg.