Eastern water skink fact sheet – bunburra | Field of Mars EEC

What are eastern water skinks?

Eastern water skinks are large native lizards found along the east coast of Australia. Their scientific name is Eulamprus quoyii. These skinks are often seen basking on rocks, logs and creek edges in sunny bushland areas close to water. They are quick-moving reptiles that can swim and dive to escape danger.

Eastern water skinks have smooth, shiny scales and long tails. Their bodies are usually olive-brown, coppery or golden-brown with black flecks and pale stripes along the sides. These colours help them blend into leaf litter, bark and rocky creek habitats.

Students may spot eastern water skinks in places such as the Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park, especially near ponds, creeks, wetlands and bush tracks. They are active during warm weather and are often seen darting into water or under rocks when disturbed. The Darug name for lizard is bunburra.

An eastern water skink.

Eastern water skinks often bask on rocks and logs beside creeks and wetlands.

Where do eastern water skinks live?

Eastern water skinks are found from northern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia, including much of New South Wales. They are strongly connected to moist habitats and are commonly seen near freshwater creeks, ponds, rocky streams, wetlands and damp bushland. They also live in parks, gardens and urban bushland if there is shelter, sunlight and water nearby.

In the Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park, eastern water skinks are often seen basking beside walking tracks, creek edges and rocky outcrops. They shelter under logs, rocks, leaf litter and tree hollows to stay safe from predators and harsh weather. Sunny basking sites are important because reptiles rely on external heat to warm their bodies.

Eastern water skinks use hollow logs, rocks and leaf litter for shelter.

What do eastern water skinks eat?

Eastern water skinks are carnivores that hunt a variety of small animals. Their diet includes insects, spiders, snails, tadpoles, water beetles, cockroaches, small fish and sometimes smaller lizards. They may also occasionally eat fallen native fruits.

These skinks are active hunters that search through leaf litter, creek edges and vegetation for prey. By feeding on insects and other small animals, eastern water skinks help control populations of invertebrates and play an important role in local food webs.

Eastern water skinks hunt insects and other small animals among moss and leaf litter.

What is the life cycle of eastern water skinks?

Eastern water skinks are viviparous, which means the female gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Breeding usually occurs during the warmer months. Females often produce small litters of two or three young during summer.

Young skinks are independent soon after birth and quickly begin hunting tiny insects and other small prey. Eastern water skinks grow by shedding their skin as they develop. During colder months they may brumate, resting in sheltered places to conserve energy until warmer weather returns.

Young eastern water skinks begin hunting small prey soon after birth.

What adaptations do eastern water skinks have to help them survive?

Eastern water skinks have several adaptations that help them survive in bushland and wetland habitats. Their striped and flecked colours provide camouflage among rocks, bark and leaf litter. Their smooth scales and streamlined bodies help them move quickly through vegetation and water.

Like other reptiles, eastern water skinks bask in the sun to warm their bodies so they can move and hunt efficiently. They are strong swimmers and can dive underwater to escape predators. If threatened, they may also drop part of their tail to distract predators while they escape to safety.

Eastern water skinks rely on sunlight to warm their bodies and become active.

Why are eastern water skinks important?

Eastern water skinks are important predators in bushland and wetland food webs. They help control insect and snail populations by feeding on many small animals. They also provide food for larger reptiles, birds and mammals.

Healthy populations of eastern water skinks can indicate healthy creek and bushland habitats. Because they depend on clean waterways, shelter and sunny basking areas, they are affected by habitat damage and pollution. Protecting eastern water skinks also helps protect many other species that share the same environment.

Eastern water skinks are important predators in bushland and wetland ecosystems.

How can you help eastern water skinks?

You can help eastern water skinks by protecting bushland, wetlands and creek habitats. Leaving rocks, logs, mulch and leaf litter in gardens can provide shelter for skinks and other small animals. Planting native vegetation can also attract insects that provide food.

Keeping cats indoors, supervising dogs near bushland and avoiding pesticides and rodent poisons can help protect eastern water skinks and the animals they eat. Reducing litter and pollution around creeks and wetlands also helps keep their habitats healthy.

Leaf litter, logs and rocks provide important shelter for eastern water skinks.

Related fact sheets

More reptile fact sheets

• Reptiles fact sheet – Learn about reptiles, their features, habitats and life cycles.
• Eastern water dragon fact sheet – Discover another reptile often seen near creeks and waterways.
• Eastern blue-tongued lizard fact sheet – Learn about another skink found in Sydney bushland and gardens.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Wetlands fact sheet – Explore freshwater habitats used by skinks, frogs and other animals.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Learn about the local bushland habitats where eastern water skinks may be seen.

Animals that share this habitat

• Eastern snake-necked turtle fact sheet – Find out about another reptile that lives near freshwater habitats.
• Common eastern froglet fact sheet – Discover a small frog that shares damp creek, pond and wetland habitats.

Food webs and ecological relationships

• Invertebrate fact sheets – Explore many of the small animals eastern water skinks eat.

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