Cape Verde Giant Skink Cape Verde Giant Skink, also known as the Cocteau's Skink, was a reptile endemic to the Cape Verde islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Loss of habitat, owing to human activities, is supposed to be the main cause of extinction of Cape Verde Giant Skink species. These reptiles were hunted extensively for food and 'skink oil' in the beginning of the 20th century. Some also suggest that prolonged drought that hit the area during this time led to the extermination of these species from the Cape Verde Islands. Attempts to breed these reptiles in captivity were of no avail, and finally Cape Verde Giant Skink was declared extinct in 1914.
