ReptilesReptile Index Central Netted Dragon Ctenotus leonhardii Ctenotus saxatilis Crocodile Geckos Gidgee Skink Goanna, Monitor, Perentie Inland Bearded Dragon Lined Firetail Skink Long-nose Dragon Serpentes Thorny Devil Yellow-Bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei)

With the common name of Stony-soil Ctenotus or Rock Ctenotus, the reptile Ctenotus saxatilis is a member of Sphenomorphine Skinks, subfamily Sphenomorphinae.

It is also known under the synonym of Ctenotus inornatus, although at the time of writing, there is still some contention over recognition of this name Ctenotus inornatus.

Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT

This species of skink is found in the Northern Territory (where they are quite common), Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. They have been recorded from rocky outcrops, slopes and plateaus, as well as in suburban gardens in locations like Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT © Dorothy Latimer
Ctenotus saxatilis, Alice Springs NT © Dorothy Latimer


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Suborder: Sauria
  • Family: Scincidae
  • Subfamily: Sphenomorphinae
  • Genus: Ctenotus
  • Species: Ctenotus saxatilis

Footnote & References

  1. Many thanks for ID to Adam Yates (adammyates) of iNaturalistAU. https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/143488036
  2. Ctenotus saxatilis, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/1250235-Ctenotus-saxatilis

ReptilesReptile Index Central Netted Dragon Ctenotus leonhardii Ctenotus saxatilis Crocodile Geckos Bynoe’s Gecko Eastern Tree Dtella Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko Gidgee Skink Goanna, Monitor, Perentie Black Headed Goanna Perentie Pygmy Mulga Goanna Sand Goanna Inland Bearded Dragon Lined Firetail Skink Long-nose Dragon Serpentes Blind Snake Central Carpet Python Children’s Python Stimson’s Python Thorny Devil Yellow-Bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei)