# Broad-headed Skink (*Plestiodon laticeps*) The Broad-headed Skink is a colorful lizard with a big head and shiny scales. It loves to bask in the sun and can be found climbing trees or hiding under rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Broad-headed Skink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plestiodon_laticeps%252C_Seitenansicht.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Paplanus, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plestiodon_laticeps%252C_Seitenansicht.jpg) ## Appearance The Broad-headed Skink has a robust body and a distinctly wide, triangular head, especially in males. Males display a vibrant orange or reddish head during breeding season, contrasting with olive-brown bodies. Juveniles are striking with five light stripes down their black bodies and a bright blue tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Scincidae - **Genus:** Plestiodon ## Interesting facts - Mothers guard their eggs until they hatch, which is rare! - Their unique wide head gives them their common name! - They use their fork-shaped tongue to "smell" the world. - Young skinks have five golden stripes and a flashy blue tail! ## Special abilities - **Tail Drop Defense:** Broad-headed Skink can drop its tail to confuse predators, giving it a quick chance to escape! - **Expert Climber:** Broad-headed Skink has strong claws that help them scale trees and rocks with great speed. - **Color Flash:** Broad-headed Skink males display a bright orange-red head during mating to attract partners. - **Egg Guardian:** Broad-headed Skink mothers fiercely protect their eggs from danger until they hatch. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-20 - **Incubation:** 30-50 days ## Diet & Feeding These speedy hunters love to eat insects and spiders they find in trees! - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Spiders, Beetles, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [North American Racer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-racer) (*Coluber constrictor*) — Snakes hunt skinks for a meal. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks can spot them from above. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Skinks actively chase and eat these insects. - **Hunts:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Aranaeus diadematus*) — Skinks feed on various spiders. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don't try to catch lizards; they are best left in nature. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Broad-headed Skink? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Broad-headed Skink? 15-30 cm ### How much does Broad-headed Skink weigh? 0.005-0.05 kg ### How long does Broad-headed Skink live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Broad-headed Skink move? 18 km/h ### What does Broad-headed Skink eat? These speedy hunters love to eat insects and spiders they find in trees! ### Where is Broad-headed Skink usually found? Forests ### How does Broad-headed Skink hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Chandon Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chandon-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Elk Neck State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park - [Folly Lick Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/folly-lick-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Great Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-falls-park) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Kent Gardens Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kent-gardens-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Garvan Woodland Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garvan-woodland-gardens) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Broad-headed Skink](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/broad-headed-skink) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Broad-headed Skink: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-headed-skink)