The Bermuda skink is internationally recognised as a critically endangered species and needs the co-operation of everyone to ensure its survival claimed the Bermuda Biodiversity Project Department of Conservation Services.

It is estimated that there are around 2,000 to 10,000 skinks remaining on surrounding islands, along coastal shrub areas and the largest population on the mainland is in Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. However, skinks have also been discovered in Tucker's Town, Smith's Parish on the North Shore, Horseshoe Bay, Astwood Park and Hog Bay Park.

The skink in Bermuda's only endemic terrestrial vertebrate and is also classed as the rock lizard.

Its robust stature, scurrying movements and scaly skin allow it to be readily distinguished from the more abundant anoles, introduced lizard species.

The main reasons for the skinks decline was man's arrival, introduced predators, habitat destruction and, more recently, the impact of roadside trash.

"The skink are poorly adapted to movement over smooth surfaces, so discarded bottles make lethal traps for unsuspecting skinks that enter searching for food and are trapped, destined to die of starvation, drowning or heat stress," said Lisa Kitson, a research student with the Biodiversity Project.

Today the skink is largely restricted to coastal cliffs and offshore islands.

"As part of the Bermuda Biodiversity Project, we are attempting to gather information about the current distribution of the skink in Bermuda, their numbers and population structure," said Ms Kitson.

A survey of Southampton Island in Castle Harbour, in 1997, was of particular importance as the island remained devoid of skink predators, like rats, cats, anoles, toads and humans and their deadly trash.

They trapped over 100 skinks during a three day period and the estimated population was 400.

The skinks, like another endemic endangered species the cahow which take five years to reach maturity, are slow breeders and does not reach breeding maturity until they are three to four years old.

The female lays three to five eggs between late May, early June and they hatch in July.

She does not take care of her young and aggressively chases them away from the nest in order to disperse them.

Hatchling numbers in the wild are very low compared with the number of adults - it is thought that predators are wiping out many skinks at this vulnerable life stage.

Anyone wishing to volunteer in the conservation of the Bermuda Skink should telephone Ms Kitson at 293-2727 ext. 143.