Juvenile Skinks enjoy scampering up and down the cedar siding, and running back and forth across the porches of my cabin as they look for their next meal. It’s like having my own personal pest control company on duty! They eat insects, spiders and other invertebrates. As youngsters, my Skinks sport a cool looking shiny tail of a marvelous blue color that can be detached if the Skink is caught by a predator. AND the tail will continue to wiggle as the Skink escapes, frightening, diverting the attention of, or at least entertaining the predator. AND most of the time the Skink is able to grow a new tail. This one is either a Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) or a Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps). At this young stage these two species are nearly indistinguishable. Whichever it is, I love having them around.
