Florida sand skink
A species of Skinks Scientific name : Plestiodon reynoldsi Genus : Skinks
Florida sand skink, A species of Skinks
Scientific name: Plestiodon reynoldsi
Genus: Skinks
Content
Description General Info
Photo By rbrausse , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Florida sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi ) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae, the skinks. The sole member of the monotypic genus Neoseps, it is endemic to Florida in the United States.
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Diet
Florida sand skink sustains itself predominantly on a diet of arthropods. Amplifying this, specific and preferable ingestion includes small insects and spiders. Its voracity notably increases during periods of activity.
Appearance
Florida sand skink is a medium-sized skink with a slender, elongated body and smooth, glossy scales. Its base color is dark brown, often accompanied by several longitudinal stripes in lighter hues of tan or cream. The tail is bright blue in juveniles, a distinctive feature that fades to uniform brown or gray as the skink matures. There are no significant gender differences in appearance.
Behavior
Florida sand skink are daytime-active lizards with a robust inclination towards solitary behavior. This species displays distinct territoriality, marking the boundaries with scent and visual cues. Foraging primarily on insects, florida sand skink feature a hide-and-wait hunting style. Notable for their skin-shedding ritual, they consume detached skin for nutrient intake, illustrating a unique example of resourcefulness in nature.
Population
Decreasing
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
Florida sand skink