Plestiodon septentrionalis obtusirostris
The prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is a small lizard found in the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. Adults are typically brown or tan with lighter stripes, while juveniles are distinguished by their bright blue tails. These secretive lizards are adept burrowers and hibernate during the colder months, emerging in spring to breed.
Key Facts
- ›Reaches a total length of 13 to 22 cm (5 to 9 inches).
- ›Juveniles have bright blue tails that fade with age.
- ›Adults are brown or tan with light stripes on their back and sides.
- ›Feeds on small invertebrates like spiders, crickets, and grasshoppers.
- ›Lays 8-10 eggs after a gestation period of about 40 days.
- ›Inhabits sandy areas or open grasslands with loose soil and rocks.
Northern Prairie Skink, Southern Prairie Skink
North America, Canada, United States
- Small Lizard, Total Length of 13 To 22 cm .
- Adults Are Brown Or Tan On the Back.
- Adults Are Darker On the Sides.
- Adults Have Several Thin Lighter Stripes Along the Sides and the Back.
- Juveniles Have Bright Blue Tails That Fade With Maturity.
Small Invertebrates, Spiders, Crickets, Grasshoppers
- Good Burrowers.
- Hibernate In Burrows Below the Frost Line.
- Very Secretive.
- Rarely Seen In the Open Except During the Breeding Season.
- Males Develop Bright Orange Coloring On Jaws and Throat During the Breeding Season.
About Plestiodon septentrionalis obtusirostris
The Prairie Skink
The prairie skink, scientifically known as Plestiodon septentrionalis, is a small lizard species native to the North American prairies located east of the Rocky Mountains. It holds significance as one of the few lizard species found in Canada, with a particular population residing in southwestern Manitoba.
Description and Characteristics
Adult prairie skinks typically measure between 13 and 22 centimeters (5 to 9 inches) in total length. Their coloration consists of brown or tan on the back, with darker sides and subtle, light-colored stripes running along their length. A striking feature of juvenile prairie skinks is their bright blue tail, which gradually loses its vibrant hue as the animal matures.
Habitat and Behavior
These lizards are well-adapted to their environment, being excellent burrowers that excavate dens below the frost line for hibernation. They are generally secretive creatures, seldom observed in the open except during their spring breeding season. Their preferred habitat includes sandy areas or open grasslands with loose soil, often incorporating rocks for shelter and basking, and a nearby water source.
Life Cycle and Diet
Prairie skinks hibernate from approximately September until late April. Upon emerging in spring, males develop distinctive bright orange coloring on their jaws and throat, signaling the start of the breeding season. After a gestation period of about 40 days, the female lays a clutch of eight to ten eggs, which typically hatch in August. The hatchlings are around 5 centimeters long and reach sexual maturity in their third year. Their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, with a preference for spiders, crickets, and grasshoppers, while ants are generally avoided.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the prairie skink?
The scientific name for the prairie skink is Plestiodon septentrionalis. There are two generally recognized subspecies: the northern prairie skink (P. s. septentrionalis) and the southern prairie skink (P. s. obtusirostris).
What do prairie skinks eat?
Prairie skinks have a diet primarily consisting of small invertebrates. They show a preference for spiders, crickets, and grasshoppers, while actively avoiding ants.
Where are prairie skinks found?
The prairie skink is endemic to the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The northern subspecies ranges from North Dakota and Minnesota to Kansas, with an isolated population in Manitoba, Canada. The southern subspecies is found in Oklahoma and Texas.
What is the habitat of the prairie skink?
Prairie skinks prefer sandy habitats or open grasslands characterized by loose soil. They also favor areas with rocks for shelter and basking, and proximity to a water source.
What are the physical characteristics of a prairie skink?
Adult prairie skinks are typically brown or tan on their backs, with darker sides and several thin, lighter stripes. Juveniles are notable for their vibrant blue tails, a coloration that diminishes as they mature. They are small lizards, reaching a total length of about 13 to 22 cm.
How do prairie skinks reproduce?
Prairie skinks hibernate and emerge in spring for their breeding season. After a gestation period of approximately 40 days, the female lays eight to ten eggs. The eggs hatch in August, and the young are about 5 cm long at birth.
Are prairie skinks active at night?
Prairie skinks are secretive and rarely seen in the open except during their spring breeding season. They dig burrows below the frost line for hibernation, suggesting they are more active during daylight hours when not hibernating.
Related Lizards
Northern prairie skink
The Northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is a small lizard found in sandy prairies east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. Adults are typically brown or tan with lighter stripes, while juveniles sport bright blue tails that fade with age. This secretive species is a good burrower, hibernating underground during winter and emerging in spring for breeding.
Ctenotus leonhardii
Ctenotus leonhardii, commonly known as Leonhardi's ctenotus or Leonhardi's skink, is a small, slender lizard native to arid and semi-arid regions of mainland Australia. This diurnal species is characterized by its brown to ochre-brown coloration with distinctive pale and dark stripes along its body and tail. It inhabits open grasslands, sandplain deserts, and shrublands, where it actively forages for insects and other invertebrates.
Lined supple skink
The lined supple skink, also known as the lined writhing skink, is a small reptile found in parts of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. This species is characterized by its golden body color, with each scale bearing a black dot that creates distinct longitudinal stripes. It typically inhabits areas under rocks, loose soil, and near termite or ant mounds.