Western Skink

Eumeces skiltonianus

The Western Skink is difficult to see without exploring its hiding places under logs, stones, and debris. These skinks are most active in late afternoon and can be heard rustling about in search of beetles, crickets, spiders, and sow bugs. The tail breaks if grabbed.

Look For : A shiny-scaled lizard with a broad brown stripe down the back bordered by whitish or beige stripes that begin on the nose and end on the tail. Young have blue tail; fades to gray or brown.

Length : 6 1/2-9".

Habitat : Rocky areas near streams, grasslands, woodlands, forest clearings, dry hillsides.

Range : Northern Arizona to Canada west of the Rockies; south along the west coast through California and into the Baja peninsula.