Prairie Skink
ExploreReptiles
Prairie Skink
Plestiodon septentrionalis
The Prairie Skink is a small, colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun. With its shiny scales and long tail, it can be found darting through grass and hiding under rocks.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Prairie Skink is a slender lizard with a shiny, smooth body. Adults are typically tan to olive-brown with dark stripes running down their sides. Young skinks stand out with bright blue tails, which fade as they grow older.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyScincidaeGenusPlestiodon
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby prairie skinks are born with dazzling blue tails, which are a flashy warning to predators.
Mama skinks often guard their eggs, cleaning them and even eating spoiled ones!
Prairie Skinks prefer sunny spots and often hide under rocks or logs to stay safe.
These amazing lizards hibernate underground during winter to survive the cold temperatures.
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Breakaway
Prairie Skinks can drop their wriggling blue tail if a predator grabs it, because this distraction helps them escape to safety.
Ability
Striped Camouflage
Prairie Skinks have dark stripes that help them blend into tall grasses and shadows, making it hard for predators to spot them.
Ability
Sun Sentry
Prairie Skinks can bask in the sun to warm their bodies for energy, which helps them move quickly to hunt or flee danger.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 13-22 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.02 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 5-18
- Incubation
- 30-50 days
Diet & Feeding
Prairie Skinks mostly munch on insects and other tiny creatures they find in their habitat.
Primary Foods
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Small Moths
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Fall Field Cricket
Gryllus pennsylvanicus
A common and nutritious insect that Prairie Skinks hunt.
eaten by
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
A frequent snake predator that hunts skinks in their habitat.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Large birds of prey like hawks often prey on small lizards.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a skink, watch it from a distance and don't try to catch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Prairie Skink?
13-22 cm
How much does Prairie Skink weigh?
0.005-0.02 kg
How long does Prairie Skink live?
5-10 years
How fast can Prairie Skink move?
10 km/h
What does Prairie Skink eat?
Prairie Skinks mostly munch on insects and other tiny creatures they find in their habitat.
Where is Prairie Skink usually found?
Grasslands
How does Prairie Skink hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Prairie Skink lay?
5-18
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