Mountain skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain skink |
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Plestiodon
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callicephalus
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The Plestiodon callicephalus, also known as the mountain skink, is a type of lizard. It's a medium-sized skink that lives only in North America. Skinks are a kind of lizard known for their smooth, shiny scales and often short legs.
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Understanding the Mountain Skink's Name
Scientists sometimes group animals in different ways. For a while, some thought the mountain skink was a subspecies of another skink, Plestiodon tetragrammus. This would mean it was a special type of that skink.
However, most scientists now agree it's its own separate species. They decided this because it looks different and lives in its own unique areas.
What Does the Mountain Skink Look Like?
The mountain skink is a medium-sized lizard. It can grow to about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) long, not counting its tail. Its body is usually olive green or brown.
It has black stripes along its sides. A cool feature is the light, Y-shaped pattern on its head. This pattern is why it's called callicephalus, which is Greek for "beautiful head."
Blue Tail Coloration
Many young skinks in the Plestiodon family have bright blue tails. This bright color might help distract predators. If a predator grabs the tail, it can break off, letting the skink escape.
Unlike most other skinks, adult mountain skinks keep some of their blue tail color. It might fade a little as they get older, but it's still there.
Where Do Mountain Skinks Live?
The mountain skink lives in parts of North America. You can find it from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States down to Nayarit and Jalisco in Mexico.
In the U.S., this skink is quite rare and found in very specific spots. In New Mexico, it lives only in the southern Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County). It's known from just two areas there: Geronimo Trail and Guadalupe Canyon. In Arizona, you can find it in the Coronado National Forest.
How Are Mountain Skinks Protected?
In Mexico, where most mountain skinks live, the species seems to be doing well. However, some local groups of skinks might be in danger. This can happen if their habitat (the place they live) is destroyed.
In New Mexico, the mountain skink is listed as "critically impaired." This means its numbers are very low and it needs special protection.
Where Do Mountain Skinks Prefer to Live?
Mountain skinks can live in many different places. They are found from sea level all the way up to almost 2,000 meters (about 6,560 feet) high.
They really like areas with lots of old, rotting leaves on the ground. This leaf litter gives them places to hide from predators. It also provides good spots for them to lay their eggs.
Mountain Skink Behavior
The mountain skink spends most of its time on the ground. It is a terrestrial animal, meaning it lives on land. It hunts for small invertebrates, like insects or worms, to eat.
These skinks are also very good at digging. They can dig their own dens, which are like small burrows or homes in the ground. This helps them stay safe and cool.
