Mochlus is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae.

Skinks of the genus Mochlus are cylindrical in shape and robust.

They get the common name "writhing skinks" from the side-to-side movement that they make when held in the hand.

[2] Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Mochlus.

"Report on a Collection of Reptiles and Fishes made by Dr. Kirk in the Zambesi and Nyassa Regions".