Plestiodon egregius
The mole skink (Plestiodon egregius) is a small, shiny lizard found in the Southeastern United States, known for its ability to burrow and its distinctive blue tail in juveniles. It inhabits sandy environments like sandhills and scrub, often burying itself in the upper layers of pocket gopher mounds. Several subspecies exist, with some facing conservation concerns due to habitat loss.
Key Facts
- ›The mole skink is a small, cylindrical lizard with a shiny appearance.
- ›Juveniles typically possess a bright blue tail, which becomes pinkish in adults or when regenerated.
- ›They inhabit sandhills and scrub habitats, often burrowing into the sand.
- ›Mole skinks feed primarily on insects such as cockroaches, spiders, and crickets.
- ›The bluetail mole skink subspecies is federally listed as threatened.
- ›Reproduction involves mating in winter, with females laying 3-7 eggs in spring.
Mole Skink
Southeastern United States, Florida Keys, Cedar Key, Central Florida, Southern Alabama, Georgia
- Small, Shiny, Cylindrical Lizard.
- Brownish Coloration.
- Juveniles Have A Blue Tail, Which Constitutes Slightly More Than Half of the Total Length.
- Adults Or Regenerated Tails Are Typically Pinkish.
- Legs Are Somewhat Reduced and Used For Surface Locomotion.
- Males Develop Orange Patterns On Their Sides During the Breeding Season .
Cockroaches, Spiders, Crickets
- Often Buried Underground.
- Bask In Upper Layers of Pocket Gopher Mounds.
- Hunt On the Surface .
- When Threatened, Presents Its Tail and May Play Dead If Not Deterred.
Habitat Destruction, Residential Development, Commercial Development, Agricultural Development, Over-Collection By Herpetological Enthusiasts
About Plestiodon egregius
Plestiodon egregius: The Mole Skink
The mole skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon egregius, is a small, slender lizard indigenous to the Southeastern United States. These lizards are characterized by their shiny, brownish bodies and their habit of burrowing into sandy soils found in sandhills and scrub habitats. A distinctive feature, particularly in juveniles, is a vibrant blue tail that can comprise over half of their total body length, though this coloration often fades to pinkish in adults or when tails regenerate.
Subspecies and Conservation
This species is comprised of five recognized subspecies, some of which have specific and limited geographic ranges. Notably, the bluetail mole skink (P. e. lividus) is classified as a federally threatened species. The primary threats to mole skinks, especially the protected subspecies, stem from extensive habitat destruction driven by residential, commercial, and agricultural development, as well as concerns over over-collection by enthusiasts.
Habitat and Behavior
Mole skinks are well-adapted to their sandy environments, often burying themselves in the upper layers of soil and sometimes utilizing Southeastern pocket gopher mounds for basking. While they share habitat with other burrowing species, they exhibit different foraging behaviors. For instance, the bluetail mole skink hunts on the surface, distinguishing it from the sand skink which feeds predominantly underground. When faced with a threat, the mole skink may employ defensive tactics such as presenting its tail or playing dead.
Reproduction and Diet
Mole skinks reach sexual maturity around one year of age and reproduce by laying eggs. Mating typically occurs in the winter, followed by females laying clutches of three to seven eggs in shallow nests during the spring. The female diligently tends to the nest throughout the incubation period, which lasts between 31 and 51 days. Their diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including various species of cockroaches, spiders, and crickets.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the mole skink?
The scientific name for the mole skink is Plestiodon egregius. It was originally described by Baird in 1859 and has undergone taxonomic reclassifications over the years.
Where are mole skinks found?
Mole skinks are endemic to the Southeastern United States. Specific subspecies are found in various locations, including the Florida Keys, Cedar Key, Central Florida, and parts of Alabama and Georgia.
What does the bluetail mole skink look like?
The bluetail mole skink is a small, shiny, brownish lizard. Juveniles are characterized by a blue tail that makes up over half of their body length, while adults and regenerated tails are typically pinkish. Males may develop orange patterns during the breeding season.
What is the habitat of the mole skink?
Mole skinks prefer sandhills and scrub environments. They often burrow into the sand and are known to bask in the upper layers of Southeastern pocket gopher mounds.
What do mole skinks eat?
The diet of mole skinks primarily consists of invertebrates. This includes insects like cockroaches and crickets, as well as spiders.
Is the bluetail mole skink endangered?
Yes, the bluetail mole skink (Plestiodon egregius lividus) is a federally threatened species. Its population is threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection.
How do mole skinks reproduce?
Mole skinks reach sexual maturity after one year. Mating occurs in the winter, and females lay three to seven eggs in a shallow nest cavity in the spring. The female guards the nest during the incubation period.
What are the threats to mole skinks?
Major threats to mole skinks, particularly certain subspecies like the bluetail mole skink, include habitat destruction due to development for residential, commercial, and agricultural purposes. Over-collection by enthusiasts also poses a threat.
Related Lizards
Mole skink
The mole skink (Plestiodon egregius) is a small, cylindrical lizard found in the Southeastern United States, known for its shiny, brownish appearance and tendency to burrow. Juveniles often sport a distinctive blue tail, which may turn pinkish in adults or when regenerated. This species is of conservation concern, particularly certain subspecies, due to habitat loss.
Amphisbaena fuliginosa
Amphisbaena fuliginosa, commonly known as the black-and-white worm lizard, is a fossorial species distinguished by its striking white and black mosaic pattern. It inhabits Amazonian forest areas in northern South America and is a burrowing, nocturnal predator of invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates. This oviparous species plays a role in Yanomami mythology, where it is associated with warriors and the underworld.
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