Coal skink
The coal skink is a mid-sized lizard native to the United States, characterized by its four light stripes extending onto the tail and a broad dark lateral stripe. It prefers humid, wooded hillsides with ample leaf litter or loose stones, and can also be found near springs and rocky bluffs. This species is distinguished by its short, well-developed legs and a reddish head coloration in males during the spring breeding season.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to the United States.
- ›MID-sized lizard with a total length of 13–18 cm (5.1–7.1 in).
- ›Features four light stripes extending onto the tail and a broad dark lateral stripe.
- ›Inhabits humid, wooded hillsides with leaf litter or loose stones.
- ›Mates in spring or early summer, laying 8-9 eggs.
- ›Hatchlings have blue tails, with variations between subspecies.
Four-Lined Skink
United States
- Mid-Sized Lizard With Short, Well-Developed Legs.
- Total Length of 13–18 cm .
- Maximum Snout-To-Vent Length of 7 cm .
- Four Light Stripes Extend Onto the Tail.
- Broad Dark Lateral Stripe Is 4–4.5 Scales Wide.
- No Light Lines On the Top of the Head.
- Dorsolateral Light Stripe Is On the Edges of the 3rd and 4th Scale Rows From the Midline of the Back.
- One Postmental Scale Is Present.
- Sides of the Male's Head Are Reddish During the Spring Breeding Season In Some Parts of the Range.
- Southern Subspecies Have Posterior Supralabials With Light Centers and Dark Edges.
- 26 Or More Rows of Scales Around the Middle of the Body.
- Hatchlings Have Blue Tails; Young Southern Coal Skinks Have Black Bodies With Faint Traces of Stripes.
Insects, Other Small Invertebrates
- Will Take Refuge In Shallow Water If Pursued, Going To the Bottom and Hiding Under Stones Or Debris.
- Courting Involves Male Investigation and Recognition of Females Through Pheromonal Cues.
Small Mammals, Snakes, Larger Species of Lizards
Habitat Decrease, Habitat Degradation
About Coal skink
The coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus), also known as the four-lined skink, is a species of lizard endemic to the United States. It is a mid-sized lizard, typically reaching a total length of 13 to 18 cm (5.1 to 7.1 inches), with a maximum snout-to-vent length of 7 cm (2.8 inches). A distinctive feature of the coal skink is its four light stripes that extend onto the tail, complemented by a broad dark lateral stripe. Males may exhibit reddish coloration on the sides of their heads during the spring breeding season.
Habitat and Distribution
Coal skinks prefer humid, wooded hillsides rich in leaf litter or loose stones. Their habitat can also extend to areas surrounding springs, rocky bluffs overlooking creek valleys, and other mesic environments. If threatened, they are known to seek refuge in shallow water, submerging and hiding beneath stones or debris. The species is found throughout the United States, with two recognized subspecies: the northern coal skink and the southern coal skink, each occupying distinct geographical regions within the country.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Reproduction for the coal skink occurs in the spring or early summer. The female lays a clutch of 8 to 9 eggs, each measuring approximately 10 to 11 mm in length. The eggs typically hatch after a period of four to five weeks. Hatchlings emerge at about 5 cm (2.0 inches) in length and are characterized by blue tails. There are some differences in appearance between the hatchlings of the northern and southern subspecies, with young southern coal skinks having black bodies and faint stripe traces.
Threats
While coal skinks face natural predation from small mammals, snakes, and larger lizard species, human activities also pose significant threats. Habitat loss and degradation, resulting from human development and land use, are major concerns for the conservation of this species. These factors contribute to the decrease and degradation of suitable environments for the coal skink and other reptile species.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the coal skink?
The scientific name for the coal skink is Plestiodon anthracinus. This binomial name is used to classify the species within the scientific community.
What are the different subspecies of the coal skink?
Two subspecies of the coal skink are recognized: the northern coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus anthracinus) and the southern coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus pluvialis). These subspecies differ in certain physical characteristics, particularly in the appearance of their scale patterns and hatchlings.
What kind of habitat does the coal skink prefer?
Coal skinks favor humid, wooded hillsides with abundant leaf litter or loose stones. They can also be found in areas around springs, rocky bluffs overlooking creek valleys, and other mesic sites.
How does the coal skink reproduce?
The coal skink mates in the spring or early summer. Females lay a clutch of 8 or 9 eggs, which hatch after four to five weeks. Hatchlings are approximately 5 cm (2.0 in) long and have blue tails.
What are the main threats to the coal skink population?
Natural threats to the coal skink include small mammals, snakes, and larger lizard species. Human influence also poses a threat through habitat decrease and degradation.
Related Lizards
Plestiodon anthracinus
The coal skink, *Plestiodon anthracinus*, is a mid-sized lizard endemic to the United States, characterized by its four light stripes extending onto its tail. It prefers humid wooded hillsides with leaf litter or loose stones and can be found near springs or rocky bluffs. This species is known for its reproductive cycle, where females lay a clutch of eggs that hatch after several weeks, with hatchlings displaying a blue tail and distinct stripe patterns depending on the subspecies.
Ablepharus
Ablepharus, commonly known as snake-eyed skinks, are small lizards distinguished by fused eyelids that prevent blinking, similar to snakes. They inhabit dry fields, hills, and rocky areas, often concealed within leaf litter. These skinks possess shiny, bronze scales and a characteristic dark stripe along their sides, feeding primarily on small insects and mollusks.
Ameiva ameiva
The Ameiva ameiva, commonly known as the giant ameiva or South American ground lizard, is a widespread lizard species found across Central and South America, as well as some Caribbean islands. It is characterized by a streamlined body, vibrant green coloration in males, and a varied diet that includes insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter. These lizards typically inhabit forest floors, seeking shelter under logs and in leaf litter.