Q.853

Skinks are a type of lizards found only in Madagascar. Their genus name is "Sirenoscincus". In December 2012, some researchers announced the discovery of a new type of skink, which lives underground. As a result, it has evolved to lose all its skin pigmentation, its eyes, and has only forelimbs; the latter making it look more like a sea creature with flippers.

The scientists have named this skink "Sirenoscincus ____", the species name coming from literature and referring to an animal that has some attributes in common to this creature. What's the name?

[+ Show Answer]

"Mobydick", from the Herman Melville novel. In the novel, Moby Dick is an albino whale. More about this find here.

This day last year: Q.487