Cope's skink
A species of Skinks Scientific name : Plestiodon copei Genus : Skinks
Cope's skink, A species of Skinks
Scientific name: Plestiodon copei
Genus: Skinks
Content
Description General Info
Description
Cope's skink is an autotrophic reptile with an adept knack for arboreal life. This creature exhibits a distinctive diurnal lifestyle, with a special preference for basking on tree branches under the sun. Its ecological importance is underscored by its diet, comprised largely of insects and spiders, thus playing a vital role in controlling pest populations in its habitat.
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Diet
Cope's skink is an insectivore, whose diet majorly consists of various small arthropods. The species exhibits a strong preference for spiders, beetles, and caterpillars, indicative of its adaptability in food choice.
Appearance
Cope's skink is a small to medium-sized lizard with a slender cylindrical body and smooth scales. Its base color is usually blue or grey, offset by bright blue or orange tail, known for varying intensity according to age. Sporting five longitudinal stripes, cope's skink exhibits no significant differences in markings between genders or subspecies. It lacks distinctive features like wings or horns, making its vibrant tail its most eye-catching trait.
Behavior
Cope's skink is characterized by diurnal activity, predominantly engaging in foraging and hunting during daylight hours. Exhibiting a solitary lifestyle, this species maintains and defends individual territories. Survival is facilitated through the adaptation of excellent climbing abilities, proficient in maneuvering through their tree-dominated habitat. Unique lateral compression enables inconspicuous navigation around bark surfaces.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Skinks Genus
Skinks Species
Cope's skink 
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