Five-Lined Skink

This past Tuesday March 17^th I went on a field trip with my Ecology Lab lead by Dr. Dustan. Our class went to Francis Beidler Forest in Harleyville. The 16,000-acre sanctuary is home to 100-year-old Bald Cypress trees, tupelo gum swamp, sea otters, various bird species and a plethora of amphibians and reptiles. We were fortunate to have had beautiful weather. In our 1.75 mile boardwalk trail were able to see a brown water snake, yellow rat snake, yellow belly slider, snapping turtle, anole, and this juvenile five-lined skink. One of my classmates was lucky enough to find it perched underneath the boardwalk on our walk back and with our curiosity the animal scurried up the boardwalk, and sat on the rail as pictured. I was drawn to the lizards incredibly vibrant blue tipped tail, which pictures truly don’t do justice to display!

 This particular species is moderately large, with short legs and a streamlined body, growing to 5-8 inches. Their coloration varies with age. The southern-five lined is generally gray-black with five white-yellowish stripes. Juveniles have a bright blue tail. Tail color dulls with age and is more commonly retained in females. Males stripes may fade as they mature and can develop red coloration on the head. Scientists speculate skinks are bad tasting to its predators, which explains their distinct bright coloration. Five-line skinks are found throughout the low country, and are found in Georgia. They can be found in almost any habitat, but are particularly keen of wooded, moist habitats such as the four holes swamp located in the Beidler Forest.