Gilbert's Skink

Eumeces gilberti

Young Gilbert's Skinks have a striped pattern just like the Western Skink. As these lizards age, the stripes are lost, and older individuals are sometimes a uniform greenish-brown color. Young Gilbert's Skinks from the northern part of their range have blue tails, and look just like Western Skinks. In the southern portion of their range, young Gilbert's Skinks have pink or orange tails. This species is sometimes seen with just its head peeking out from a crevice or a knothole in a dead tree.

Look For : Plain brown or olive skink with dark spotting. Young have blue or red tail and white stripes on sides.

Length : 7-12".

Habitat : Rocky areas near springs and streams, grasslands, deserts, pine forests.

Range : Central California to Arizona.