History and origin
The Western Three-toed skink was first described by Cuvier in 1829, the scientific name of this species is Chalcides striatus. Chalcides from Greek meaning 'copper' and 'lined'. Striatus from Latin meaning 'streak'.

Characteristics
They are characterised by their tiny limbs. They only have three fingers.

Description
=Size=
The juveniles measure around 80 to 115 mm long at birth. They can grow up to 430 mm long.
=Morphology=
They are snake-like, long, slender and shinny thanks to their smooth scales. They have a head and neck which blend in wonderfully to their body and if not seen up close this lizard could be mistaken for not having any legs, their legs are tiny.
=Patterns & colours=
They are usually silvery with darker thin lines like steaks running the length of the body starting at the neck and ending on the tail, there may be up to 10 streaks like this one (the back is usually completely covered with these). Their head is usually darker the the body.

Geographical range
They are found throughout most of the Iberian peninsula, missing from central eastern Spain. In France they are only found along the Mediterranean coast, they are also found in a small part of the Italian coast next to France.

Subspecies
None described.

Sexual differences
None.

Seasonal variations
None.

Diet
They feed on insects, spiders and other small creatures.

Defensive habits
They can burst out into a fast short sprint, if captured they usually throw themselves from side to side and this in particular makes a snake like resemblance.

Reproduction
Breeding occurs when they wake up from hibernation in spring. The females give birth to about 6 to 12 young, that have been growing for around 2 to 3 months. The females mate only once every two years.

Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Chalcides striatus is about 6 years. They reach their sexual maturity at three to four years.

Habits
They are active by day but very secretive. Not often seen without overturning stones, logs, and other kinds of obstacles. They move slowly usually but if disturbed they break into a speed using their body in the same way as snakes, throwing itself from side to side, whist doing so this species can be mistaken for a snake.

Habitat
They are found up to 1500 meters in altitude. they inhabit very damp places near water and sometimes in dense vegetated areas (still damp), these places include: road side ditches, woods, marshes, gardens, hedges, streams, meadows...

Predators
They are eaten by birds, snakes and other animals such as small mammals.