From Wikipedia:

The Eastern skink (Scincus mitranus) is a lizard from the skink family (Scincidae). These skinks grow to a length of 20 cm, and have an orange-brown or sand-coloured back, and a white underside. On the side they have a line or spots in a light colour, and the back and legs have vague dark bands. The snout is shaped like a bill, and the legs and tail are short. The eastern skink can run quickly, or slide over the sand and dig itself in quickly when it is in danger. Its food consists of several kinds of arthropods, especially centipedes and beetles.

This species lives in Saudi-Arabia and the UAE, in dry and warm open areas, particularly in sand deserts. Its habitat consists of dune-like areas, and hilly landscapes with occasional dense bushes and rocky patches to hide in. The eastern skink is viviparous, which gives it an advantage compared to other species in the area, as its eggs cannot desiccate.

(An animal described as being viviparous is an animal that gives live birth, and is nourished by the mother until birth, as opposed to laying eggs and having the yolk of the egg nourish them.)

Photos via Sophie and Matt Gunner’s Flickr photostream.

Via Curnen’s Flickr photostream.

Via Ana Maria Rincon’s Flickr photosream.

From the description on the photo’s Flickr page:

Beemer is a blue-fronted Amazon. I got him from Bob Wheeler when he was 2 weeks old and raised him as a birthday present for my husband Jeff. Rowdy is a Pacific parrotlet. From the first time he saw Beemer, he somehow recognized that this creature towering over him was a baby, and began trying valiantly to feed him. Here he’s preening Beemer’s baby feathers.

I just think this is so great.

Via Ruth Roger’s Flickr photostream!

Thanks to Kimberly!