Southeastern Five-lined Skink
ExploreReptiles
Southeastern Five-lined Skink
Plestiodon inexpectatus
The Southeastern Five-lined Skink is a small, colorful lizard with five bright stripes. They love to bask in the sun and can be found scurrying around in gardens and forests.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Southeastern Five-lined Skink has a sleek body with five distinctive light stripes running down its darker brown or olive back. Juveniles feature a strikingly bright blue tail. Its scales are smooth and shiny, giving it a somewhat wet appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyScincidaeGenusPlestiodon
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female skinks guard their eggs until they hatch, being a super mom!
Juvenile skinks flash a brilliant blue tail to confuse attackers!
These skinks are sunbathers, needing warmth to stay active!
They have clear scales over their eyes, like built-in goggles!
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Ejector
Southeastern Five-lined Skink can drop its tail to distract predators, allowing it to escape harm's way.
Ability
Rapid Regrowth
Southeastern Five-lined Skink has the ability to regrow a lost tail, repairing itself after an escape.
Ability
Arboreal Acrobat
Southeastern Five-lined Skink can climb trees and shrubs to find food and escape danger quickly.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 12-21 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-6 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 4-10
- Incubation
- 30-50 days
Diet & Feeding
They love munching on insects and other small invertebrates!
Primary Foods
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Spiders
- Beetles
- Snails
- Slugs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Racer
Coluber constrictor
A common snake that preys on skinks.
eaten by
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Small raptors may catch these ground-dwelling skinks.
eaten by
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
Nocturnal mammals sometimes prey on skinks.
hunts
Fall Field Cricket
Gryllus pennsylvanicus
Skinks actively hunt and eat various crickets.
hunts
Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
Spiders are a regular part of the skink's diet.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
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.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
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.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch your step when exploring, and be gentle if you see a skink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Southeastern Five-lined Skink?
12-21 cm
How much does Southeastern Five-lined Skink weigh?
0.005-0.015 kg
How long does Southeastern Five-lined Skink live?
3-6 years
How fast can Southeastern Five-lined Skink move?
15 km/h
What does Southeastern Five-lined Skink eat?
They love munching on insects and other small invertebrates!
Where is Southeastern Five-lined Skink usually found?
Forests
How does Southeastern Five-lined Skink hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Southeastern Five-lined Skink lay?
4-10
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