Southeastern Five-lined Skink

Description:

A Southeastern Five-lined Skink. Southeastern Five-lined Skinks are usually between 5 and 8.5 inches long (12.5 - 21.5 cm). As the name suggests, they have five stripes down their backs and sides. These stripes are lighter than the main body color, which is gray, brown, or black. Juveniles have bright blue tails. This is one of six skink species native to Georgia, and it is easily confused with the Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) and the Broadhead Skink (Eumeces laticeps). However, E. fasciatus and E. laticeps have an enlarged row of scales down the center of the bottom side of the tail; E. inexpectatus does not have this, and this is its identifying characteristic.

Habitat:

This skink was found in the sand on the banks of a creek, near a felled tree and small shrubs.

Notes:

Not the most artistic of pictures, but they get the job done!