Four-Lined Skink

Range

Ranges through central, western, and southern Texas across the border into northwest Mexico.

Habitats

These skinks prefer sparsely wooded habitats or grasslands with lots of rocky areas. They like to hide in leaf litter.

Identification

A mid-sized skink that grows to a length of 5-7 inches. It has relatively long but slender legs, and a long thick tail. It is named for the 4 longitudinal lines down its body; 2 on each side. The dorsal lines start behind each eye and the ventral lines start behind each ear. Between the pairs of lines, the scales are usually darker than the scales on the back. In one subspecies, the patterning fades past the shoulder region and the rest of the body is often solid grey-brown with minimal pattern. In the other subspecies, the pattern continues down the sides to the hind legs. Juveniles have bright blue tails that fade to brown or grey with age.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians