Schneider's Skink
Eumeces schneiderii
A large skink of the far southeast — Caucasus form treated as subspecies princeps.
Overview
What is Schneider's Skink
Schneider’s skink (Eumeces schneiderii) is a scincid lizard. Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 list it as biologically confirmed: the species occurs in West Asia and North Africa; subspecies E. s. princeps is the Caucasus/Iran form. In Georgia it is found in the extreme southeast. princeps is sometimes treated at species rank as Novoeumeces princeps — the checklist keeps it as a subspecies. The figure is from Vashlovani National Park; barcodes are from Chachuna Managed Reserve. It is harmless to people.
Last updated
Identification
How to identify Schneider's Skink
A large skink with smooth scales. In Georgia only in the far southeast; do not confuse it with Ablepharus.
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Smooth shiny skink scales; limbs fully developed — not reduced.
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Caucasus form listed as E. s. princeps.
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Much larger than the snake-eyed skink, with a visible eyelid ring.
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Harmless to people.
Biology
Habitat, diet, behavior, and conservation
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Schneider's Skink.
Yes. Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026: extreme southeast. The figure is from Vashlovani; barcodes from Chachuna.
Harmless. It has no venom.
The Caucasus/Iran subspecies. Sometimes treated as Novoeumeces princeps; the checklist retains subspecies rank.
Ablepharus is tiny, with fused eyelids (“snake eye”). Eumeces is a large skink with full limbs and a normal eyelid ring.
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
