Taxonomic notes: Section empty

This species occurs from Waigeo, Batanta and Salawati Island in the northeast of West Papua Province across the north coast from Vogelkop east to Toem and Jamna island area, including Yapen, Numfor and Biak islands, Papua Province. It is also likely to occur in the southeastern part of Vogelkop Ayamura area, West Papua Province (Zug 2004). This species occurs from sea level to around 200 m asl.; records from higher elevations refer to other species (A. Allison pers. comm. 2014).

This is an abundant species (A. Allison pers. comm. 2014).

This species inhabits lowland and montane forest, where it prefers open areas. It is also found in swampy areas. It is a diurnally active terrestrial skink, with a diet consisting primarily of insects (O’Shea 1993, Allison et al. 1998).

There is no trade in this species.

It is unlikely that any major threat is impacting this species. 

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species.

Carlia fusca has been assessed as Least Concern due to its large distribution, abundance within this area and the absence of major threats.

• Allison, A., Bickford, D. Richards, S. and Torr, G. 1998. A biological assessment of the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. Conservation International 58-62: 156-172.
• O'Shea, M. T. 1993. Carlia fusca (brown four-fingered skink). Display behavior. Herpetological Review 24(3): 105.
• Zug, G.R. 2004. Systematics of the Carlia "fusca" Lizards (Squamata: Scincidae) of New Guinea and Nearby Islands. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.