Great Plains skink

Description:

The adult has a plain tan belly and dark edged, tan scales on the back. The scales' dark edges may look like lines on the back. On the side of the body, the scales do not lie in horizontal, parallel rows (as seen on other Oklahoma skinks), but run obliquely. A hatchling's tail is dark blue. Its body is glossy black with white dots on the head, along the lips, and on the hind legs. The scales are smooth and shiny. This is the state's largest skink. (taken from "A Field Guide to Oklahoma's Amphibians and Reptiles")

Habitat:

Rocky, open grasslands

Notes:

This lizard was spotted at the edge of a cattle pasture that had recently been burned.