Broad-headed Skink
Plestiodon laticeps
Adult length from 6 to 12 inches. Males: Uniform brown color with no stripes. Females: Brown with darker brown lateral stripes.
How to identify
Adult length from 6 to 12 inches. Males: Uniform brown color with no stripes. Females: Brown with darker brown lateral stripes.
Range
Found throughout the Southeastern quadrant of the United States. Range includes Pennsylvania to Florida, North Carolina to Texas.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Wooded areas such as forests, forested wetlands, orchards, and swamps. Largely arboreal and can often be seen on man-made structures such as houses or barns.
Variations
Juveniles: Brown to black bodies with five to seven white to orange colored dorsal stripes. Vibrant blue tail. Males: During mating season, head color changes from brown to red or orange.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Laticeps: Latin broad (latus) head (caput).
More illustrations
Female Broad-headed Skink
Broad-headed vs Five-lined Skinks
At a glance
Size
324 mm
Range
Found throughout the Southeastern quadrant of the United States. Range includes Pennsylvania to Florida, North Carolina to Te…
Habitat
Terrestrial. Wooded areas such as forests, forested wetlands, orchards, and swamps. Largely arboreal and can often be seen on…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap