A rather shy and secretive lizard, spending most of its time near or within cover (4) (5) (6), the ocellated skink is mostly active during the day, or at dawn and dusk during very hot weather (5) (6). It is an active forager, feeding on a variety of invertebrate prey, including beetles, snails, spiders, ants, termites and crickets, as well as small lizards and some plant material (5) (9). Like many other lizards (10), the ocellated skink is able to shed its tail if attacked by a predator, and is then usually able to regenerate a new one (5) (6).
The ocellated skink is inactive during colder months, hibernating underground in some areas. Activity gradually increases in the spring, with mating usually occurring around April (3) (5). During the breeding season, male ocellated skinks may engage in ritualised combat, in which rival males alternately bite the other’s tail (5). Between April and September the female gives birth to around five to ten live young, after a gestation period estimated at two to three months (3) (5). The ocellated skink may live for up to 13 years in captivity (5).