Tonga Ground Skink

Extinct circa 1827 CETonga

"John R.H. Gibbons conducted an extensive search for skinks in the remaining stand of forest on Tongatapu in 1985. No unknown species were found. Deforestation and the introduction of cats and rats have made it difficult for any large lizards to survive on Tongatapu. . . "

Eberhart, George M. Mysterious Creatures: a Guide to Cryptozoology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2002. 204.

Cook, James. Chart of the Friendly Isles or Tonga. Digital image. Voyage towards the South Pole, and Tound the World. Performed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure, in the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775, 2nd Edition, London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell in the Strand, 1777. Web. <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1777_Cook_Map_of_the_Friendly_Islands_or_Tonga_-_Geographicus_-_FriendlyIsles-cook-1777.jpg>.