The dwarf burrowing skinks comprise a genus of about 22 species of small, attenuate, fossorial lizards found mainly in Southern Africa. As a group, this genus is particularly interesting because of the degree of limb reduction found amongst its members. Some species have fore- and hindlimbs, with three, four or five digits or toes on each foot, depending on the species. Then there are a few species with hindlimbs but no forelimbs, and among these some have tiny limbs with two or only one digit on each foot. Finally, a few species are completely limbless.

Have you seen a snake in your garden recently? We are fortunate to have about 120 species of snakes in South Africa. As part of a citizen science initiative, the National Museum’s Animal and Plant Systematics Department – Herpetology Division is managing a Facebook group called Free State Reptiles and Amphibians (including adjacent areas and Lesotho) which seeks to gather photographic and videographic records of all reptiles and amphibians found in this region.