Plestiodon inexpectatus
The Plestiodon inexpectatus, commonly known as the southeastern five-lined skink, is a widespread lizard found throughout the southeastern United States. This diurnal species is characterized by its five distinct stripes, which fade with age, and a bright blue tail in juveniles. They inhabit wooded areas and are notable for their ability to survive on coastal islands even without fresh water.
Key Facts
- ›Possesses five characteristic stripes along its body that lighten with age.
- ›Juveniles display a bright blue or purplish tail and reddish-orange stripes on the head.
- ›Primarily feeds on insects, with a preference for larger prey like grasshoppers.
- ›Oviparous, laying clutches of 6 to 12 eggs, with females guarding the nest.
- ›Diurnal and ground-dwelling, often found in wooded environments.
- ›Can be easily maintained in captivity, tolerating drier conditions than similar species.
Southeastern Five-Lined Skink
Southeastern United States
- Five Characteristic Narrow Stripes Along the Body That Become Lighter With Age.
- Middle Stripe Is Narrower Than Others.
- Dark Areas Between Stripes Are Black In Young Skinks, Turning Brown With Age.
- Young Skinks Have A Bright Blue Or Purplish Tail, Especially Towards the Tip.
- Stripes Become A Bright Reddish Orange Towards the Head In Juveniles.
- Juvenile Coloration May Persist Into Adulthood, Giving the Head An Orange-Brown Appearance.
Insects, Larger Prey Such As Grasshoppers
Diurnal, Ground-Dwelling, Females Brood and Protect Eggs From Predators
Other Skinks
About Plestiodon inexpectatus
Plestiodon inexpectatus: The Southeastern Five-Lined Skink
The Plestiodon inexpectatus, commonly known as the southeastern five-lined skink, is a prevalent lizard species native to the southeastern United States. Its scientific name, "inexpectatus," meaning "unexpected," was given due to its discovery relatively late, nearly 175 years after the description of the closely related American five-lined skink.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
As its common name suggests, the southeastern five-lined skink is distinguished by five narrow stripes that run lengthwise along its body, which tend to become lighter and less distinct as the animal matures. The dark interspaces between these stripes are black in young individuals and transition to brown in adults. A key feature of juveniles is their vibrant blue or purplish tail, particularly pronounced towards the tip, and stripes that exhibit a bright reddish-orange hue near the head. This juvenile coloration can sometimes persist into adulthood, lending the head an overall orange-brown appearance.
While similar in appearance to the common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), which is typically slightly smaller and possesses broader stripes, definitive identification solely by physical traits can be challenging.
Habitat and Distribution
This species is a common inhabitant of wooded environments throughout the southeastern United States. Remarkably, Plestiodon inexpectatus is also frequently found on small islands off the southeastern coast, demonstrating an ability to thrive even in the absence of readily available fresh water and vegetation.
Behavior and Diet
The southeastern five-lined skink is a diurnal and ground-dwelling reptile. Its diet, consistent with other skinks in the genus Plestiodon, consists primarily of insects. They exhibit a preference for larger insect prey, such as grasshoppers.
Reproduction
Plestiodon inexpectatus reproduces oviparously, laying clutches that typically contain between 6 and 12 eggs. The size of the clutch tends to decrease with increasing latitude. The female plays an active role in reproduction, brooding the eggs and diligently protecting them from potential predators, including other skinks. Hatchlings typically emerge about one month after the eggs are laid, usually near the beginning of the summer season.
In Captivity
This skink species is noted for being relatively easy to maintain in captivity. Its care requirements are similar to those of the common five-lined skink, with the added advantage of being able to tolerate drier environmental conditions.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the southeastern five-lined skink and the common five-lined skink?
The southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus) is generally slightly larger than the common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus). While both have five stripes, the common five-lined skink tends to have broader stripes compared to the narrower ones of the southeastern species. However, distinguishing between them based solely on physical appearance can be difficult.
What do southeastern five-lined skinks eat?
Like other skinks in the genus Plestiodon, the southeastern five-lined skink has a diet that primarily consists of insects. They show a preference for larger insect prey, such as grasshoppers.
Where do southeastern five-lined skinks live?
These skinks are common inhabitants of wooded areas across the southeastern United States. They have also been observed on small islands along the southeastern coast, even in environments lacking fresh water and vegetation.
How do southeastern five-lined skinks reproduce?
Southeastern five-lined skinks are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Clutch sizes typically range from 6 to 12 eggs, with fewer eggs laid at higher latitudes. The female diligently broods and protects the eggs from predators until they hatch, which usually occurs about a month after being laid, near the beginning of summer.
What are the defining physical characteristics of a southeastern five-lined skink?
Adults are recognized by five narrow stripes that run along their bodies, which become less distinct and lighter as the skink ages. The dark areas between these stripes are black in juveniles but turn brown in older individuals. Young skinks are particularly notable for their bright blue or purplish tails and reddish-orange stripes near their heads, a coloration that can sometimes persist into adulthood.
Related Lizards
Southeastern five-lined skink
The southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus) is a common lizard species found in the southeastern United States. Characterized by five narrow stripes along its body that fade with age and a bright blue tail in juveniles, this diurnal species inhabits wooded areas and coastal islands. They are insectivores, primarily feeding on larger prey like grasshoppers, and are oviparous, with females guarding their eggs.
Desert monitor
The desert monitor (Varanus griseus) is a large carnivorous lizard found across North Africa and Central and South Asia. It exhibits varied coloration from light brown to grey and can reach up to 2 meters in length. Known for its adaptability, the desert monitor inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, preying on a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Plateau fence lizard
The plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) is a spiny lizard found in the rocky and wooded areas of central Arizona, southwestern Utah, western Colorado, and parts of New Mexico and Wyoming. This grayish, brownish, or greenish reptile is characterized by keeled scales, dark cross-bands on its back, and distinctive metallic blue patches on its belly and throat. It is known to be inactive during extreme temperatures and primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods.