Mountain skink
Critically impaired (New Mexico), Secure (Mexico)·Oviparous (implied by habitat preference for egg-laying)
The mountain skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon callicephalus, is a medium-sized lizard found in North America, ranging from the southwestern United States into Mexico. It is characterized by its olive to brown body with black side stripes and a distinctive light Y-shaped pattern on its head. Uniquely among its genus, adult mountain skinks retain the bright blue tail coloration seen in juveniles.
Key Facts
- ›Reaches a maximum snout-to-vent length of about 7.5 cm (3.0 in).
- ›Features an olive to brown body with black side stripes.
- ›Possesses a distinctive light Y-shaped pattern on its head.
- ›Juvenile and adult mountain skinks both exhibit a bright blue tail.
- ›Inhabits diverse environments from sea level to nearly 2,000 m.
- ›Prefers areas with abundant, well-rotted leaf litter for cover and egg-laying.
Mountain Skink
Southeastern Arizona, Usa, Extreme Southwestern New Mexico, Usa, Nayarit, Mexico, Jalisco, Mexico
- Leaf Litter
- Terrestrial Environments
- Varied Habitats From Sea Level To High Elevations
- Medium-Sized Skink.
- Maximum Snout-To-Vent Length of Approximately 7.5 cm .
- Body Coloration Is Olive To Brown.
- Features Black Stripes On the Sides.
- Distinctive, Roughly Y-Shaped Light Line Pattern On the Head.
- Juveniles Have A Bright Blue Tail.
- Adults Retain the Bright Blue Tail, Though It May Fade Slightly With Age.
Small Invertebrates, Insects
- Terrestrial, Spending Most Time Foraging On the Ground.
- Hunts For Small Invertebrates.
- Good Burrower, Digs Its Own Den.
Habitat Loss
About Mountain skink
What is the Mountain Skink?
The mountain skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon callicephalus, is a medium-sized lizard native to North America. It is distinguished by its olive to brown coloration, accented by black stripes along its sides and a unique, light-colored Y-shaped pattern on its head, a feature that gives it its species name, derived from Greek words meaning "beautiful head." A remarkable characteristic is the retention of a bright blue tail into adulthood, a trait uncommon among its genus.
Habitat and Distribution
This terrestrial skink inhabits a wide range of environments, from sea level up to nearly 2,000 meters in elevation. It demonstrates a preference for areas rich in well-rotted leaf litter, which provides essential cover and suitable conditions for egg deposition. The mountain skink's geographic range extends from southeastern Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico in the United States southward into the Mexican states of Nayarit and Jalisco. Its presence in the U.S. is highly localized, with specific populations found in areas like the Coronado National Forest and the southern Peloncillo Mountains.
Behavior and Conservation
The mountain skink is primarily a ground-dweller, spending its days foraging for small invertebrates. It is also a capable burrower, excavating its own dens for shelter. While the species appears secure throughout much of its range in Mexico, many local populations face the threat of habitat loss. In New Mexico, the mountain skink is classified as "critically impaired," highlighting significant conservation concerns within that specific region.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the mountain skink?
The scientific name for the mountain skink is Plestiodon callicephalus. It has also been considered a subspecies of Plestiodon tetragrammus, under the scientific name P. tetragrammus callicephalus, but is more commonly classified as a distinct species.
What does the mountain skink look like?
The mountain skink is a medium-sized lizard with an olive to brown body marked by black stripes on its sides. A notable feature is a light, roughly Y-shaped pattern on its head, which inspired its scientific name. Both young and adult individuals possess a bright blue tail.
Where can the mountain skink be found?
This species is found in North America, ranging from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States, southward to Nayarit and Jalisco in Mexico. In the U.S., it is found in very localized areas, including parts of the Coronado National Forest in Arizona and the southern Peloncillo Mountains in New Mexico.
What kind of habitat does the mountain skink prefer?
Mountain skinks inhabit a variety of habitats, from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2,000 meters. They show a preference for areas that have plentiful well-rotted leaf litter, which provides essential cover and suitable locations for depositing eggs.
What is the conservation status of the mountain skink?
In Mexico, the species appears to be secure, though local populations may face threats from habitat loss. However, in New Mexico, the mountain skink is classified as 'critically impaired,' indicating a significant conservation concern in that region.
What does the mountain skink eat?
The mountain skink is a terrestrial species that spends much of its time on the ground, actively hunting for small invertebrates. Its diet primarily consists of insects and other small arthropods found in its environment.
Related Lizards
Lygosoma albopunctatum
The white-spotted supple skink (Riopa albopunctata) is a diurnal, terrestrial, insectivorous lizard native to tropical Asia. It is characterized by its long, slender body, short and weak legs, and a distinctive pattern of tiny black spots on its sides and dark dots on its back scales. This species is found across various South and Southeast Asian countries, inhabiting diverse environments.
White-spotted supple skink
The white-spotted supple skink is a small, diurnal, terrestrial lizard found across tropical Asia, particularly in South Asia. It is characterized by its long, slender body, small legs, and distinctive white spots on its sides, contrasting with a light brown or reddish-brown back dotted with tiny black spots. This insectivorous species inhabits a range of environments within its geographic distribution.
Iguanidae
The Iguanidae family encompasses a diverse group of lizards, including iguanas, chuckwallas, and their extinct relatives. These reptiles are typically found in tropical and warm climates, characterized by dorsal spines, a dewlap, sharp claws, and a long tail. While many species are herbivorous and arboreal, their specific diets and habitats vary widely across their distribution.