# Western Skink (*Plestiodon skiltonianus*) The Western Skink is a shiny, blue-tailed lizard that loves to bask in the sun! They are quick and can often be seen darting through grass and rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Western Skink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Juvenile_Western_Skink_%28Plestiodon_skiltonianus%29.JPG&width=800) Photo: Connor Long, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juvenile_Western_Skink_%28Plestiodon_skiltonianus%29.JPG) ## Appearance The Western Skink has a sleek, shiny body with a pointed snout. Adults are brown or gray with two light stripes down their back, while juveniles often boast a striking bright blue tail. These features help distinguish them from other lizards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Scincidae - **Genus:** Plestiodon ## Interesting facts - A mother skink wraps her body around her eggs to keep them safe! - Baby skinks have super shiny blue tails that alert predators to stay away! - Skinks can shed their entire skin in one big piece, like a stretchy sock! - They use their tongues to 'taste' the air and understand their surroundings! ## Special abilities - **Egg Guarding:** Western Skink has attentive parenting because the mother guards her eggs to protect them from predators until they hatch. - **Striped Camouflage:** Western Skink has excellent camouflage with stripes because it helps them blend into rocky and grassy environments to hide from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-10 - **Incubation:** 28-56 days ## Diet & Feeding These little lizards hunt and eat all sorts of small bugs and spiders. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Beetles, Spiders, Moths, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — A common predator in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — This small falcon hunts skinks. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A snake that preys on lizards. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Often preys on crickets. - **Hunts:** [Gray Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca nitens*) — Actively hunts grasshoppers. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [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 If you see a skink, watch it from a distance and don't try to catch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western 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 Western Skink? 13-22 cm ### How much does Western Skink weigh? 0.002-0.01 kg ### How long does Western Skink live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Western Skink move? 12 km/h ### What does Western Skink eat? These little lizards hunt and eat all sorts of small bugs and spiders. ### Where is Western Skink usually found? Grasslands ### How does Western Skink hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Regional Parks Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/regional-parks-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Warm Springs Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/warm-springs-park) — California, US · Park - [Jack London State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jack-london-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Anarchist Protected Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anarchist-protected-area) — British Columbia, CA · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Western Skink](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-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: [Western Skink: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-skink)