Southeastern five-lined skink
A species of Skinks Scientific name : Plestiodon inexpectatus Genus : Skinks
Southeastern five-lined skink, A species of Skinks
Scientific name: Plestiodon inexpectatus
Genus: Skinks
Content
Description General Info
Photo By rbrausse , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Plestiodon inexpectatus, the southeastern five-lined skink is a common skink in the southeastern United States.
General Info
Lifespan
6-8 years
Diet
Southeastern five-lined skink is predominantly insectivorous, feeding mainly on terrestrial invertebrates. Crickets, cockroaches, and beetles constitute a significant proportion of its nutrition, occasionally supplemented by spiders and small molluscs.
Appearance
Southeastern five-lined skink is a moderate-sized skink with a cylindrical body covered by smooth, shiny scales. Its back ranges from tan to brown, often featuring four light stripes running from its snout to the base of its lengthy tail. The tail is bright blue in juveniles, though it dulls with age. The animal is sexually dimorphic, with males possessing a red throat and females having a white one.
Behavior
Southeastern five-lined skink is a mostly nocturnal species known for its skittish nature. It frequents leaf litter and undergrowth for concealment and foraging. Primarily a solitary creature, it exhibits territoriality, especially during the breeding season. Prey capture involves rapid tongue flicking and swift attacks, demonstrating its adaptation to a predator lifestyle.
Population
Stable
Photo By rbrausse , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Skinks Genus
Skinks Species
Southeastern five-lined skink