Fire Skink Lepidothyris/Mochlus fernandi

The beautifully-marked Fire Skink, with gold scales and Gothic bright red and black patches, is native to forests of tropical West and western Central Africa. Large for a skink, it can grow to 15 inches (37cm) long. Although diurnal, it likes to burrow and hide away (and didn't emerge for me). Many thanks to Andrew Carter for his lovely photos.