Scincidae

9.9

A family of lizards with smooth, shiny scales often called skinks

noun
/ˈsɪn.sɪ.deɪ/

Specialized

: Scincidae

The Scincidae family includes many species of skinks.

Examples

The family Scincidae consists of more than 1,500 species of skinks found worldwide.
Researchers recently discovered a new genus within the Scincidae from Southeast Asia.
Many lizards in the Scincidae family adapt to a variety of habitats, from deserts to rainforests.
Look at that Scincidae!
The family Scincidae consists of more than 1,500 species of skinks found worldwide.
Researchers recently discovered a new genus within the Scincidae from Southeast Asia.
Many lizards in the Scincidae family adapt to a variety of habitats, from deserts to rainforests.

Synonyms

skink

vsScincidae

1 8.6

A small lizard with smooth shiny skin and short legs that lives in warm wet places

is the formal group term covering many species rather than one animal

family Scincidae

vsScincidae

Specialized

9.3

A large group of lizards with smooth shiny scales found worldwide

is the same group but stresses common name and body shape

scincid lizard

vsScincidae

Specialized

9.9

A small lizard with smooth shiny scales and short legs that often lives in moist places

groups these features under the family classification rather than one animal

scincid

vsScincidae

Specialized

9.9

A lizard with a long body, smooth shiny scales, and small legs

refers to the broader taxonomic group instead of a single animal

Compounds

family Scincidae

Specialized

9.3

A large group of lizards with smooth shiny scales found worldwide

Surface Forms

Scincidae singular

Scincidae plural

Etymology

Scincidae is built from the common word skink, from an old Greek word for a 'small lizard', plus the scientific ending -idae meaning 'family'. So Scincidae simply means the 'family' of skinks, which helps you remember it refers to the smooth, shiny lizards known as skinks.