Skinks
ExploreReptiles
Skinks
Scincidae
Skinks are small, shiny lizards with smooth bodies and short legs. They love to hide under rocks and leaves, making them fun to spot in the wild!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Skinks has a sleek, often glossy body covered in smooth, overlapping scales, giving them a shiny appearance. They typically have short limbs and a long, tapering tail, differing from other lizards by their generally more streamlined, snake-like form. Colors vary widely, from earthy browns and grays to vibrant patterns or iridescent hues.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyScincidae
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A few skinks have almost no legs, looking more like snakes, but they still have tiny limbs!
Many skinks have shiny, slippery scales that help them glide through sand or soil like a fish!
Skinks are found on every continent except Antarctica, showing how adaptable they are!
Some skinks are pregnant for months and give birth to live babies, just like mammals!
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Escape
Skinks can drop their tail if a predator grabs it, because a special break-point in their vertebrae allows them to escape.
Ability
Burrowing Speed
Skinks have super smooth, overlapping scales that help them glide quickly through sand or loose soil, hiding from danger.
Ability
See-Through Blink
Some skinks have a clear 'window' in their lower eyelid, that helps them see even when their eyes are closed.
Ability
Live Birth
Some skink species give birth to live young, a rare trait for lizards that helps their babies survive.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 8-35 cm
- Weight
- 0.01-0.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-10 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-18
- Incubation
- 40-60 days
Diet & Feeding
Skinks mainly munch on small insects and other invertebrates, helping keep gardens pest-free!
Primary Foods
- Crickets
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Snails
- Worms
- Small fruits
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Field Cricket
Gryllus assimilis
Skinks actively hunt and consume these common insects.
eats
Garden Spider
Araneus diadematus
Many skinks prey on spiders found in their terrestrial habitats.
eaten by
Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Snakes like the Corn Snake are common predators of skinks.
eaten by
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Small birds of prey frequently hunt and consume skinks.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
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.
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
Always watch skinks from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Skinks?
8-35 cm
How much does Skinks weigh?
0.01-0.5 kg
How long does Skinks live?
3-10 years
How fast can Skinks move?
15 km/h
What does Skinks eat?
Skinks mainly munch on small insects and other invertebrates, helping keep gardens pest-free!
Where is Skinks usually found?
Grasslands
How does Skinks hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Skinks lay?
2-18
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