(American) Five-Lined Skink
One of the most common lizards where I live is the one called the Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus). The word "American" is usually added to the beginning of the common name to differentiate it from the African Five-Lined Skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata). Sometimes this species is confused with a similar species of the same genus, the Southeastern Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus), but I think this one is the former.
• PHOTO BY ME •
The brightly-colored tail indicates that this is probably a juvenile, not yet fully matured. As with all lizards, the Five-Lined Skink is a reptile, and thereby an ectotherm that needs to periodically warm itself in the sun. That is exactly what the little guy in the above photo is doing on our patio.
😊SOURCES
1 Wikipedia: Ectotherm
2 Wikipedia: Plestiodon fasciatus
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I'm not sure if it was this exact species but we used to see these and geckos all the time when we visited Florida. They're super adorable, honestly. Thanks for sharing that there's a difference, you learn something new every day!
I love critters. Even creepy crawlees. We don't have a great many lizards up this way unless they are in a pet store or someone's terrarium. Great picture! I like the blue tail.
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We always called em blue tails, fun to try and catch, even a small one can break the skin with their powerful jaws!
Never really associated skinks with America. We had them in Kenya where we lived when I was a kid, and they were always very bright and colorful. I'm guessing you're in a warm part of the country...?
Beautiful creature and yet I am terrify by them... :D
Such a cute little thing, never seen one before over here.
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