Skinks are less popular pets than other types of lizards, but they can be just as rewarding to keep at home. If you are hoping to learn more about these fascinating creatures, keep reading; we’ve compiled some fun facts about skinks that we know you will enjoy.
What Are Skinks?
Skinks are a type of lizard that typically has a cylindrical body, cone-shaped head, and long tail. They are small creatures, with the largest species reaching up to 30 inches long. Most skinks are no longer than 8 inches long. Not every species makes a great pet, but a handful of skinks are good for beginners. Some popular skink pets include the Blue-tongued skink, the Fire skink, the Blue-tailed skink, and the Monkey-tailed skink.
Skinks in the Wild
In the wild, skinks live all over the world in many kinds of habitats. They are frequently found in desert and arid climates where they can burrow in the sand, but they also live in rainforests, forests, prairies, mountainous areas, farmland, wetlands, and even urban and suburban human habitats. In their ecosystems, skinks help control the insect and invertebrate population. Their primary predators are birds such as herons and hawks, as well as raccoons, foxes, and snakes.
The 8 Facts About Skinks
1. Skinks are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Skinks are most commonly found in North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia but are present on six continents. Several species have specialized adaptations for their particular region. For example, sand skinks, or sandfish, have scales on their toes that help them efficiently run or “swim” just below the surface of the sand.
2. Skinks are lizards, but they look like snakes.
Most skinks have limbs, but their bodies are cylindrical, making them look snake-like. However, some species do not have limbs, making it difficult to distinguish them from snakes.
3. The skink belongs to the scientific family Scincidae, which includes more than 1,000 species.
There are about 4,500 lizard species overall.
4. Most skink species can shed and regrow their tails.
They do this as a mode of defense to distract their predators. The tail can regrow in 6 months to a year.
5. Skinks are usually carnivores.
Most species eat only insects, which helps control insect populations in their habitats. Some skinks also eat plant matter. Sometimes, they eat snails, slugs, rodents, and other reptiles.
6. Skinks are adept at burrowing and sometimes build elaborate tunnels underground.
Desert skinks and some other species burrow underground to hide from predators. Some species, such as the Prehensile-tailed or Monkey-tailed skink, are arboreal, which means they climb trees instead of burrowing.
7. Garden skinks can often be found hiding under leaves, in tall grasses, or in logs.
If you want to attract these creatures to your garden to help keep pests at bay, you could consider adding features where skinks can sun themselves or hide. Logs, bushes, planters, PVC pipes, and even bricks are great hiding places for skinks.
8. Some species of skink lay eggs, while others give birth to fully developed offspring.
The term for an animal that births live offspring is viviparous. Most mammals are considered viviparous, while most reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay an egg that continues to develop and later hatches. Some animals belong to a third category, known as ovoviviparity, where the mother produces eggs that develop inside her body until it is time for them to hatch.
- See also: Northern Blue-Tongued Skink
Conclusion
Skinks are fascinating creatures that can make great pets. However, there is a lot of variation among skink species depending on what part of the world they are from. Make sure to do your research about a particular species before you decide to bring one home.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Valt Ahyppo, Shutterstock
Contents
- What Are Skinks?
- Skinks in the Wild
- The 8 Facts About Skinks
- 1. Skinks are found on every continent except Antarctica.
- 2. Skinks are lizards, but they look like snakes.
- 3. The skink belongs to the scientific family Scincidae, which includes more than 1,000 species.
- 4. Most skink species can shed and regrow their tails.
- 5. Skinks are usually carnivores.
- 6. Skinks are adept at burrowing and sometimes build elaborate tunnels underground.
- 7. Garden skinks can often be found hiding under leaves, in tall grasses, or in logs.
- 8. Some species of skink lay eggs, while others give birth to fully developed offspring.
- Conclusion
