Skinks | Herps of Texas

Plestiodon anthracinus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon anthracinus

Common Name. Coal Skink

General information. Plestiodon anthracinus is a diurnal skink that avoids capture by slipping into the water and hiding under stones or debris. This skink species feeds on adult insects and insect larvae.

Protected status. The Coal Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, cylindrical lizard with a pale, unmarked ventral surface Glossy scales and a long, easily broken tail

Coloration. Dorsal ground color is olive brown. Dorsal pattern consists of two light stripes from the neck onto the tail on each side with a darker coloration between them Males have red coloration on head during breeding season.

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon anthracinus is found from Missouri and Nebraska to Texas and Louisiana, in parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Plestiodon anthracinus found in Texas, P. a. pluvialis, is found in the northeastern part of the state.

Habitat. Plestiodon anthracinus is seen on wooded hillsides near creeks or streams in moist, humid environments.

Reproduction. Egg clutches (average 8 or 9 eggs) are laid in June with the female remaining to guard the nest from predators. Eggs typically hatch after 30 days.

Size. Plestiodon anthracinus reaches adult lengths of 12.5-17.5 cm (5-7 in), including tail.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Plestiodon fasciatus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon fasciatus

Common Name. Common Five-lined Skink

General information. Plestiodon fasciatus is a diurnal skink that forages for insects, insect larvae, spiders, and small vertebrates in and around rotting trees.

Protected status. The Common Five-lined Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, cylindrical lizard with a pale, unmarked ventral surface. Glossy scales and a long tail.

Coloration. Dorsal ground color varies with age and sex: juveniles are deep black with bright blue tails; adult females are olive brown with gray tails; adult males are brown or olive brown. Dorsal pattern, if present, consists of five light stripes down the length of the back and onto the tail. Males tend to be larger than females. Males tend to lose their markings. Males have red coloration on head during breeding season.

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon fasciatus has a broad range from the East Coast west to Kansas and from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf Coast.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Plestiodon fasciatus is found in the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Plestiodon fasciatus can be found in urban areas, but is more commonly seen in damp, wooded areas with lots of leaf litter and decaying logs.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs in the spring. Females lay 6-12 eggs in a rotting log or under a rock between late May and early July. Female brooding is exhibited. Hatchlings appear five to six weeks after eggs are laid..

Size. Adult Plestiodon fasciatus can measure 12.5-20 cm (5-8 in) in total length (including tail).

Plestiodon laticeps

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon laticeps

Common Name. Broad-headed Skink

General information. Plestiodon laticeps is a diurnal skink that forages for insects, insect larvae, spiders, and small vertebrates in trees and on rotting trees. This species is adept at climbing.

Protected status. The Broad-headed Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, cylindrical lizard with a long tail Bony scales (cycloid) with middle row of scales on ventral surface of tail are wider than others. Females tend to be larger than males.

Coloration. Dorsal ground color varies with age and sex: juveniles are deep black with bright blue tails and adults are brown or olive brown. Dorsal pattern, if present, consists of five light stripes down the length of the back and onto the tail. Males tend to lose their markings with age and may have bluish tail Males have red coloration on head and wide jaws.

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon laticeps has a broad range from the East Coast west to Kansas and from the Ohio Valley region to the Gulf Coast.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Plestiodon laticeps is found in the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Plestiodon laticeps is an arboreal skink is seen in urban areas, but is more commonly seen in damp, wooded areas with leaf litter and decaying logs.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs in the spring. Females lay up to 16 eggs in rotting wood or under a rock where female brooding (nest guarding) is exhibited. Hatchlings appear in early summer.

Size. Plestiodon laticeps is one of the largest skink species in Texas, measuring 16-32 cm (6.5-12.75 in) as adults.

Plestiodon multivirgatus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon multivirgatus

Common Name. Many-lined Skink

General information. Plestiodon multivirgatus is a diurnal skink species that primarily eats insects. This species seeks shelter under rocks and other debris.

Protected status. The Many-lined Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, slender lizard with short limbs and a long tail that is wide at the base

Coloration. Dorsal ground color is brown. Dorsal pattern may consist of dark and light stripes that fade with age, or, there may be no pattern (plain). Males may have orange coloration at lips that extends to ear openings.

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon multivirgatus has a range from Utah and Arizona to Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, a single subspecies of Plestiodon multivirgatus, P. m. epipleurotus, is found in isolated populations in west Texas and in the Panhandle.

Habitat. Plestiodon multivirgatus is seen in a variety of habitats that range from desert flats to mountainous wooded areas to grassy plains. The striped variety is found in the mountainous habitats, while the plain variety is seen in the arid settings.

Reproduction. Breeding times are not known. Females lay up to 5 eggs. Hatchlings are dark with bright blue tails. Females guard their nests.

Size. Plestiodon multivirgatus is a medium-sized skink, with adults growing to 12.5-19 cm (5-7.5 in) total length.

Plestiodon obsoletus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon obsoletus

Common Name. Great Plains Skink

General information. Plestiodon obsoletus is a diurnal skink, but it is secretive and rarely seen in the open. This species feeds on insects, spiders, and occasionally small lizards.

Protected status. The Great Plains Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Largest species of skink in Texas Broad head and long tail Oblique scale rows on sides of body.

Coloration. Dorsal ground color varies from gray to olive-brown to tan. Dorsal pattern may appear to be stripes, but it is simply the dark edges of the scales that create the look. Ventral surface is yellow and unmarked.

General distribution. In North America, Eumeces obsoletus has a range from Nebraska to Arizona to northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Plestiodon obsoletus is found throughout the state, save the eastern third.

Habitat. Plestiodon obsoletus prefers grasslands in the Great Plains with soil suitable for burrowing. In drier habitats, this species is more frequently seen near permanent water courses.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place in late spring. Females lay up to 21 eggs in burrows and female brooding (guarding) is exhibited. Hatchlings are dark with bright blue tails and orange spots on the head.

Size. Plestiodon obsoletus is the largest species of skink in the state, with adults measuring between 16-34 cm (6.5-13.5 in) total length.

Plestiodon septentrionalis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon septentrionalis

Common Name. Prairie Skink

General information. This diurnal skink species is wary and retreats at the first sign of danger. This species forages for insects and spiders and is most active just prior to sunrise

Protected status. The Prairie Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Short limbs. Comparatively short tail, about 1 1/4 times the head-body length

Coloration. Dorsal ground color is brown. Dorsal pattern consists of a dark dorsolateral line from the neck onto the tail bordered on each side by a lighter pigment. Ventral surface is light and unmarked Males have orange coloration on head during breeding season.

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon septentrionalis has a narrow range from Kansas to Texas.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Plestiodon septentrionalis found in Texas, P. s. obtusirostris, is found in the eastern third of the state, save the southeastern corner.

Habitat. Plestiodon septentrionalis is often observed in moist environments among rocks, leaf litter, or other debris.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place in early summer. Females lay up to 18 eggs. Hatchlings have bright blue tails.

Size. Plestiodon septentrionalis reaches adult size at 12.5-20 cm (5-8 in) total length.

Plestiodon tetragrammus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Plestiodon tetragrammus

Common Name. Four-lined Skink

General information. This species of diurnal skink eats insects and spiders found among the leaf litter. This skink finds shelter in burrows or under rocks.

Protected status. The Four-lined Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Cylindrical skink with glossy scales and small limbs.

Coloration. The two subspecies of Plestiodon tetragrammus in Texas are differentiated by the length of their dorsal black bands: P. t. tetragrammus - dorsal pattern consists of a broad black band bordered by light lines from the eye down each side of the back that extends to the hind legs. P. t. brevilineatus - dorsal pattern consists of a broad dark band bordered by light lines from the eye down each side of the back that ends behind the foreleg (also with light “Y” on top of head).

General distribution. In North America, Plestiodon tetragrammus is found from south Texas to northern Veracruz, as well as the Mexican states of Queretaro, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the two subspecies of Plestiodon tetragrammus cover the western, central and southern portions of the state.

Habitat. Plestiodon tetragrammus brevilineatus prefers rocky areas in wooded environments and is commonly seen among leaf litter. Plestiodon tetragrammus tetragrammus is found in more arid regions where it prefers grassy areas, but is also seen in palm groves and wooded areas.

Reproduction. Breeding times are not known. Females lay 5-12 eggs in depressions and female brooding is exhibited. Hatchlings of both subspecies have light stripes and bright blue tails (P. t. tetragrammus hatchlings may have an orange head).

Size. Plestiodon tetragrammus grow to adult lengths (total length, including tail) of 12.5-17.5 cm (5-7 in).

Map. Colored counties reflect subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens; last updated 12 November 2014.

Scincella lateralis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Scincella lateralis

Common Name. Ground Skink

General information. This diurnal skink is wary and quickly retreats when approached. This species forages for insects in leaf litter and has snake-like movements.

Protected status. The Ground Skink is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Short limbs with a comparatively long tail, about 2.5 times the head-body length.

Coloration. Dorsal ground color varies from rusty or golden brown to brown. Dorsal pattern consists of a black dorsolateral line from the eye onto the tail. Ventral surface is light and unmarked.

General distribution. In North America, Scincella lateralis has a broad range from New Jersey to Kansas and through much of the southern U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Scincella lateralis is found in the eastern half of the state and the western reaches of central Texas.

Habitat. Scincella lateralis is often observed in moist, humid, wooded environments among the leaf litter or other debris, but is also common in urban gardens.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place from January to August. Females may lay up to 7 eggs as many as five times during the season. No parental care is exhibited.

Size. Scincella lateralis is one of the smallest skink species in Texas, only growing to a total adult length of 7.5-12.5 cm (3-5 in).