Five-lined Skink
A North American skink with five pale stripes, juveniles have a bright blue tail.
Overview
A North American skink with five pale stripes, juveniles have a bright blue tail.
History & Origin
The skink is native to North America. It belongs to the family Skinks, a lineage of lizards distributed across those regions and kept both in the wild and by specialist reptile keepers.
Appearance & Size
Five-lined Skink is a small (12–20 cm) lizard.
Temperament
It shows the typical temperament of its group—research the species for handling guidance.
Care & Husbandry
Skinks vary widely: many (e.g. blue-tongue skinks) are omnivorous and accept insects, vegetables and fruit, while others are insect-focused. They need secure substrate for digging, moderate humidity and UVB. Blue-tongue skinks are notably hardy, docile and popular as handleable pets.
Health & Lifespan
Blue-tongue skinks are hardy but prone to obesity and mouth rot if hygiene or diet is poor; legless skinks need careful substrate to avoid impaction. Provide UVB and a balanced omnivorous diet. In captivity a healthy individual may live around 5–10 years.
Popularity & Recognition
Skinks are globally ubiquitous; blue-tongue skinks are celebrated pet lizards, while many species' smooth, shiny, snake-like bodies aid burrowing. Some (e.g. shinglebacks) show long-term pair bonds.
