Discover the Mocquard's skink (<i>Mochlus mocquardi</i>), a diurnal insectivore thriving in the rainforests and savannas of West Africa, featuring an elongated body covered in smooth, shiny scales that range from deep brown to black. This vibrant skink plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by controlling insect populations while serving as prey for larger predators, all while exhibiting remarkable camouflage and tail-shedding abilities for escape.