BE ADVISED: The museum is closed today at 2 pm in preparation for Haunted Museum, with some areas closed to the public starting at noon. Please plan your visit accordingly. For more information or to reschedule your visit, email info@nhm.org or call 213.763.DINO.

You can tell just by looking at Tallulah that she's not like those other skinks. Native Californian skinks have long snaky bodies, smooth scales, and tiny feet; perfect for scuttling under forest leaves and hiding under rocks. With her gorgeous bumpy scales and impressive size, Tallulah is built for life in her native Solomon Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

So what kind of life would she lead in the wild? One big hint is her crypsis: her lovely brown and yellow coloration makes a great camouflage for life in the trees. Predators would have a hard time telling the difference between bark, leaves and lizard, especially one as chill as Tallulah. From her tiny teeth to her prehensile tail, this skink is full of fascinating surprises.
So check out this video from our own Live Animals crew, and get to know NHM's favorite lizard. You can even call her Lulu.