Sentinel Sierra Skink
A reptile with a keen sense for toxic gases emitted by the volcanoes in the Nhiri region. Pockets of these gases make up an invisible deadly maze which few predators dare enter.
Anatomy
Growing up to a lengthy 45cm, this skink sports a shiny set of brown scales with black splotches. While young, the tail is a single colour, either fully brown or black. As they grow, their tail takes on a unique pattern with one consistent feature. Each tail has two circular white smudges - presumed to fool predators into thinking they are a set of eyes. After ditching its tail, the Sierra Skink can grow it back over a course of a few weeks, usually with a completely new pattern!
The skink's keen sense of smell comes from a curious enhancement of their Jacobson's organ. It helps the skinks to notice pockets of different gases from quite a distance. With one flick of their stark black tongue they can tell which areas are safe to navigate and which areas will quickly suffocate you.
Each skink has beady green-brown eyes with black pupils. Their eyesight is great for noticing movement but subpar when it comes to fine detail. They can see in low-light.
Behaviour
Habitat
They can mostly be found living under hefty basalt rocks, inside sizeable cracks or sun-bathing on the gravel by a short shrub. These rocks shelter the skinks from the scalding rain whilst retaining enough heat to keep them warm throughout the night. The presence of these skinks implies the presence of foul gases nearby. Although the skinks are not immune to the toxicity of the gases, their keen senses turn a dangerous obstacle into an effective defense.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of insects who care not of the danger the area proposes. However, on some occasions, the skinks have been spotted eating ridge mushrooms which grow with the shrubbery.
Predators
Due to the invisible deadly gases, very few predators dare chase the skink for long. Only a few flying hunters are capable of catching a skink as they can swoop down before a skink notices and runs near deadly gases. That being said, the catch is usually not worth the risk.
Utilisation
Besides being expensive hardy - and cute - pets, these critters are rather useful in underground mining operations. They can be trained to detect toxic gas presence and alert squadrons of miners before delving deeper into dangerous mines. Moreover, they are equally useful as guides when traversing near any volcano - as long as they do not feel threatened.
In the culinary world, this skink is mostly ignored. It is difficult to catch since they roam around deadly areas and in most cases only the tail ends up being retrieved. It is unwise to chase these skinks. However, this did not stop some settlements who believe the skink's tail can enhance one's senses to detect toxic gases.
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