The Chinese Skink

One of Hong Kong’s largest lizards, up to 35cm, stout bodied with many reddish spots on the flanks and a triangular head. Young lizards however are chocolate brown with three light stripes, and undergo a change in body colour as they mature into adults. See them out hunting during the day, often seen near water.

Like other reptiles, these skinks are "cold-blooded" — ie: they are ectothermic animals, which means that their metabolism cannot regulate their body temperature. So they often bask in the sun to be able to warm up and are active mainly in the morning and evening, staying under cover during the hottest hours of the day to avoid overheating.