Plestiodon laticeps
The broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is a large lizard species found in the southeastern United States. Named for its broad jaws that give its head a triangular appearance, adult males develop bright orange heads during the spring mating season. These semi-arboreal lizards primarily inhabit forests, often associating with live oak trees and utilizing decaying wood for nesting and overwintering.
Key Facts
- ›Grows from 15 cm to nearly 33 cm in total length, making it one of the largest "Plestiodon skinks".
- ›Adult males develop bright orange heads during the spring mating season.
- ›Females can be distinguished from similar species by having five labial scales around the mouth.
- ›Semi-arboreal, they climb trees for shelter, sleep, and food, but also forage on the ground.
- ›Females lay between 8 and 22 eggs, which they guard until hatching.
- ›Nonvenomous, despite occasional misidentification with venomous species.
Broadhead Skink
Southeastern United States, East Coast, Kansas, Eastern Texas, Ohio, Gulf Coast
Forest, Live Oak Trees, Decaying Trees, Fallen Logs, Underground Hibernacula
- Total Length Ranges From 15 cm To Nearly 33 cm .
- Possess Wide Jaws, Giving the Head A Triangular Appearance.
- Adult Males Are Brown Or Olive Brown With Bright Orange Heads During Mating Season.
- Females Have Five Light Stripes Down the Back and Tail.
- Females Can Be Distinguished By Five Labial Scales Around the Mouth, Compared To Four In Five-Lined Skinks.
- Females May Retain Blue Juvenile Tails.
- Juveniles Are Black With 5 White Or Yellowish Stripes and A Blue Tail.
Insects, Insect Larvae, Gastropods, Spiders, Anolis Lizards, Juvenile Broad-Headed Skinks
- Semi-Arboreal, Climbing Trees For Shelter, Sleep, and Food.
- Forage On the Ground, Often Seeking "Hidden Prey" Under Debris Or Soil.
- Exhibit Tail Autotomy As A Defense Mechanism.
- Capable of Detecting Chemical Stimuli From Sympatric Snake Predators.
- Females Tend To Flee Before Males When Encountered In Pairs.
- Males May Stand Their Ground During the Breeding Season.
- Use Coloration and Directional Stimuli To Attack Prey.
- Carry Larger Prey To Shelter To Avoid Predation During Handling.
- Opportunistic Hunters, Assessing Prey Desirability and Risk.
Carnivorous Birds, Larger Reptiles, Mammals, Snakes
About Plestiodon laticeps
Broad-headed Skink -- Plestiodon laticeps
The broad-headed skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon laticeps, is a large lizard species native to the southeastern United States. It is recognized by its broad jaws, which give its head a distinctive triangular shape. During the spring mating season, adult males develop striking bright orange heads, while females are characterized by five light stripes running down their backs and tails, and a specific number of labial scales around their mouths that helps distinguish them from similar species.
Habitat and Behavior
These lizards are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend time both on the ground and in trees. They are strongly associated with forests, particularly those containing live oak trees, and often seek shelter in tree holes. Juveniles tend to stay closer to the ground on lower branches. Broad-headed skinks are active during the day and are opportunistic hunters, often foraging for "hidden prey" beneath leaf litter, soil, or debris. They are known to employ tail autotomy, shedding their tails when threatened to distract predators and facilitate escape. They can also detect chemical cues from predatory snakes.
Diet and Reproduction
The diet of the broad-headed skink is varied and includes insects, insect larvae, spiders, and gastropods. They are also known to consume small lizards and, occasionally, smaller individuals of their own species. Reproduction involves males aggressively guarding females during a mating season that lasts about two weeks. Females lay between 8 and 22 eggs, typically in decaying logs or cavities, and guard their clutch until hatching in June or July. The hatchlings measure between 6 to 8 centimeters in total length.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the broad-headed skink?
The scientific name for the broad-headed skink is Plestiodon laticeps. It was previously known by other scientific names such as Eumeces laticeps and Scincus laticeps in older literature.
How large do broad-headed skinks get?
Broad-headed skinks are among the larger members of the Plestiodon genus. They can grow from a total length of 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) to nearly 33 centimeters (13 inches).
What do broad-headed skinks eat?
Their diet is diverse and opportunistic, primarily consisting of insects, insect larvae, gastropods, and spiders. They are also known to eat small Anolis lizards and even cannibalize juvenile broad-headed skinks.
Where are broad-headed skinks found?
Broad-headed skinks are widely distributed throughout the southeastern United States. Their range extends from the East Coast westward to Kansas and eastern Texas, and from Ohio down to the Gulf Coast.
Are broad-headed skinks venomous?
No, broad-headed skinks are not venomous. They are often mistakenly thought to be venomous, similar to the Five-lined Skink, but they pose no threat to humans.
What is the habitat of the broad-headed skink?
These lizards are semi-arboreal and strongly associated with forests, particularly those with live oak trees. They prefer trees with holes for shelter and utilize dead, decaying trees and fallen logs for nesting and overwintering.
How do broad-headed skinks reproduce?
Males and females often form long-term pairs during the breeding season. Females lay between 8 and 22 eggs in decaying logs, guarding them until they hatch in June or July.
Related Lizards
Broadhead skink
The broadhead skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is a large lizard species endemic to the southeastern United States, notable for its semi-arboreal lifestyle and preference for live oak trees. Adult males develop striking orange heads during the spring mating season, while females and juveniles display longitudinal stripes. These skinks are diurnal hunters, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and occasionally smaller vertebrates.
Knight anole
The Knight anole is the largest anole species, native to Cuba and introduced to Florida. Known for its arboreal nature, it inhabits forests, savannas, and gardens, often found high in trees. This territorial lizard is primarily green with yellow stripes and is known for its impressive challenge display.
Bengal monitor
The Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) is a widely distributed monitor lizard found across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. It is a large lizard, capable of reaching up to 175 cm in length, and exhibits a varied diet including invertebrates and vertebrates. While generally shy, they are diurnal and possess a forked tongue for sensory purposes, with fat reserves in their tail and body for lean times.