Home Range and Activity Patterns of Pregnant Female Skinks, Tiliqua-Rugosa

Abstract

Published estimates of the home range size and movements of the skink Tiliqua rugosa reveal high variability between lizards at any one time and also between seasons. Differences between the sexes could account for some of this variability. In particular, it could be anticipated that the greater body weight of pregnant females restricts movements and thereby reduces home range size. However, movements and home range size of pregnant females in late summer are not significantly different from estimates based on both sexes. This cannot be explained by extensive foraging to sustain the growth of the fetus(es), because the pregnant females maintain relatively constant body weight until parturition. It is still not clear what determines home range size in this lizard.