Description: 2.1 to 3.4 inches long from snout to vent and aproximately 7.5 inches in total length. A small skink with a slim body, small head, thick neck, small legs, and a smooth, shiny body with cycloid scales. During the breeding season, adults develop reddish orange coloring on the side of head, chin, on the tail, and sometimes the sides. Striped with 3 dark brown and light cream stripes: A wide dark brown stripe, edged with black, extends from the nose to the tail down the middle of the back, bordered by two pale stripes which extend from the nose over the eye to the tail. Two more very dark stripes extend down each side through the eyes, to the tail, where they extend well out onto the tail. Two more pale stripes extend below these dark side stripes. The underside is pale or gray. The tail is gray or dull blue on older adults. Younger adults often retain some of the bright blue coloring. The stripes on juveniles are more highly contrasted than on adults. The tail is bright blue on juveniles.
Habitat: Grassland, woodlands, pine forests, chaparral, especially in open sunny areas such as clearings and the edges of creeks and rivers. Prefers rocky areas near streams with lots of vegetation. Also found in areas away from water.
Range: USA (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California)
Diet: Their diet ranges widely, including spiders and beetles.
Reproduction: The reproductive season for this species varies geographically and from year to year depending on local conditions. Mating probably occurs in the spring soon after emergence. Males turn orange on the underside when they are breeding. Females lay 2 to 6 eggs during June and July. Western skinks' eggs hatch in the months of July and August; the exact time differs by geographic location. They reach sexual maturity at around 3 years, and live up to 9 years.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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