Where are they from?
The five-lined skink can live in many different habitats, so it is a very common lizard in parts of the midwest and eastern United States. They are found all throughout Kentucky.
What do they eat?
They are carnivorous, meaning they only eat animal matter. They’ll feast on things such as worms, insects, spiders, smaller reptiles, crustaceans, and even baby mammals.
How do they act?
Because five-lined skinks live in places that experience drastic temperature changes throughout the year, they are able to hibernate underground when it gets too cold. The most active time for these lizards is April through October. They lay eggs several at a time during the summer, which will hatch about two months later. They like to spend time hidden under logs or other coverings. However, because reptiles are cold blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature, if the skink gets too cold, they will lay out in the sun to warm up.
Are they endangered?
Five-lined skinks are listed as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Reptile Report
Like many other species of lizards, five-lined skinks can break off their tails when they are threatened! When they do this, the tail acts as a distraction to the predator because it still moves for a short time after it’s disconnected. This allows the skink more time to get away, and they don’t have to worry, because they will grow a new tail very quickly!
Have you seen this common lizards scurrying around?
Sources:
http://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/eumfas.htm
https://oepos.ca.uky.edu/content/five-lined-skink