The sand fish skink, also known as Scincus scincus, is a fascinating desert lizard that appears to "swim" through sand just like a fish in water. With its sleek, shiny body and smooth, overlapping scales, it reduces friction, allowing it to dive and glide effortlessly beneath the surface of loose, hot desert sands.
Its limbs are short and strong, helping it to push against the sand, while its pointed snout helps it burrow quickly. As it moves, it creates wave-like motions, wriggling its body from side to side, which makes it look like it’s swimming under the sand. This unique movement helps the sand fish escape predators and extreme heat, staying cool and hidden below the surface.
