Broadhead skink

What is the Broadhead Skink?

The broadhead skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon laticeps, is a prominent lizard species native to the southeastern United States. It is one of the largest members of the Plestiodon genus, commonly referred to as "skinks." This species shares its habitat with closely related skinks like the five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) and the Southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus), with whom it was once classified under a single species designation.

Description and Habitat

Broadhead skinks can reach impressive lengths, with adults measuring between 15 cm and nearly 33 cm from snout to tail. Their name derives from their notably wide jaws, which give their heads a distinctive triangular shape. Adult males undergo a striking transformation during the spring mating season, developing bright orange heads against their brown or olive-brown bodies. Females and juveniles, conversely, display five light stripes running longitudinally along their backs and tails. A key distinguishing feature for females is the presence of five labial scales around the mouth, unlike the four found in five-lined skinks. These lizards are semi-arboreal, showing a strong affinity for live oak trees, particularly those with cavities that serve as shelter and nesting sites. Juveniles tend to remain closer to the ground, utilizing low branches, while males may actively defend trees surrounded by dense undergrowth.

Behavior and Diet

As the most arboreal of the North American Plestiodon skinks, broadhead skinks are adept climbers, frequently ascending trees for safety, rest, or foraging. They are diurnal hunters, actively seeking out prey on the ground and often investigating under leaf litter and debris for hidden invertebrates. Their diet is diverse, encompassing insects, insect larvae, spiders, and snails. They are opportunistic feeders and have been observed consuming smaller lizards, including juvenile broadhead skinks. When threatened, they typically flee by climbing trees or seeking cover. If captured, they can employ tail autotomy, shedding their tail to distract predators and facilitate escape. During the breeding season, males can become territorial and aggressive, engaging in combat with rivals to secure mating opportunities.

Reproduction

Reproduction in broadhead skinks involves significant male courtship and defense behaviors. Males often guard females for extended periods, sometimes at great personal risk. Females lay clutches of 8 to 22 eggs, typically within the safety of decaying log cavities. They exhibit parental care by guarding and protecting these eggs until they hatch, usually in June or July. The hatchlings emerge with a characteristic blue tail, a feature that adult females sometimes retain.