Eulamprus quoyii, more commonly known as the eastern water skink, eastern water-skink, or golden water skink, is a viviparous species of diurnal skink. Eulamprus quoyii belongs to the family Scincidae and is considered a common garden animal in Australia. The skink is endemic to Australia and found only along the east coast of the country. It makes its home in creekside habitats along the east coast of Australia and in urban garden areas with high amounts of moisture. The species can be identified by the twin, long yellow stripes that run along its body from the top of the eye, as well as by several more specific character derived states. The pale yellow dorsolateral stripes are most likely where its common name, the golden water skink, is derived. Like other ectotherms, the skink can often be seen basking in the sun on rocky outcroppings in order to regulate its body temperature. Its diet mainly consists of both aquatic and terrestrial insects, tadpoles and small amounts of plant matter. The skink both hunts for food and scavenges when necessary and is considered an opportunistic feeder. It is prey to larger lizards, snakes, cats and birds and so will often be seen moving quickly into hiding when other organisms are present. Etymology The genus name Eulamprus is derived from the Latin meaning "good-beautiful". The specific name, quoyii, is in honor of French zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy. Taxonomy Eulamprus quoyii belongs to the genus Eulamprus which is a part of the subfamily Lygosominae of the family Scincidae. The genus, among others such as Ctenotus and Anomalopus, falls within a clade in the Sphenomorphus group. Phylogenetic research into the genus revealed that the Eulamprus assigned species were four independent lineages, causing the Eulamprus genus to be confined to water skinks alone. Other species previously categorised within the Eulamprus genus were assigned to Concinnia, Silvascincus and Tumbunascincus. Eulamprus quoyii has several derived character states which separate the species from other species within the genus. However, it is noted that there are few if any differences in preferred habitat selection within the E. quoyii group, implying a strong evolutionary consequence for the species due to previous environmental changes. Description Eulamprus quoyii is a large water skink that can grow to approximately 115mm in snout-vent length (SVL). They have sharply-defined, narrow, pale yellow dorsolateral stripes that start from above the eye and extend down the body