Cool find

[Allison]

A little bit of after work herping today turned out only one specimen... I wasn't too disappointed!
It was a baby "Many Lined Skink", which I was calling "Tim" after my Father. He/she is the smallest I have ever found.
A tube of chap stick just to show how tiny this one was...

(awwww)

Thumbs up to that!

Well, I was excited...

No worries, this little guy when right back under his log (after the torture of my photoshoot).

Thanks for looking.

 

[bekers71]

Awwww that is just too cute! Nice find!

 

[lajes]

congrats wow the tails i so bright look like airbrushed in him!

 

[ForkedTung]

What a beautiful little creature. I wonder what advantage the neon blue tail presents? maybe a male for show? Do they stay that color?
Sweeeeeeeeeeet find!!! thanks for sharing

 

[Jynx]

Thats a fantastic find! Wonderful specimen of a Eumeces fasciatus (Five-Lined Skink). I would've actually kept it if I were you!

The younger individuals have that bright tail color, but tend to lose the ellectric blue color with age. A mature individual can have tail colors ranging from powder blue to a dull sea blue. I would say that your find was probably just on the line between juvinile and sub adult. I'd go to guess that, considering the brightness of the tail color, that is a female, though without knowing the age for sure makes the guess kind of wishy washy. Contrary to most cases, the females actually tend to have the brighter tail colors in this species.

Kudos to a wonderful find! They are common throughout many states, but aren't seen very often!

 

[Allison]

Thank you for all of your replies!

Thats a fantastic find! Wonderful specimen of a Eumeces fasciatus (Five-Lined Skink). I would've actually kept it if I were you!

Thanks! I did contemplate keeping it, however I know I'm just not ready to take on a lizard. (Most of my knowledge resides in the snakes of Arizona). I would not of felt comfortable keeping him without knowing enough about diet/habitat/heating/etc. I might just have to hit the books before I set out again.

The younger individuals have that bright tail color, but tend to lose the ellectric blue color with age. A mature individual can have tail colors ranging from powder blue to a dull sea blue. I would say that your find was probably just on the line between juvinile and sub adult. I'd go to guess that, considering the brightness of the tail color, that is a female, though without knowing the age for sure makes the guess kind of wishy washy. Contrary to most cases, the females actually tend to have the brighter tail colors in this species.

Neat! I didn't know the color could have a factor in determining the sex. I just assumed it was "fresh out of the egg" because i have seen a few large adults and this one--
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66550 back in April, who is considerably larger than the one above.

 

[bityrock]

We have those guys here in South Eastern VA, and they are all around my house. We love the little guys, helps keep most of the bugs away from our house. They hang out in my bushes and flower beds.

Amanda

 

[Drizzt80]

Thanks for sharing the pics and the find. I am always amazed at the intensity of the blue tails on those every time I see them. Besides flowers, what else in nature is that blue?!?! :eek1:

D80

 

[Allison]

Thanks for sharing the pics and the find. I am always amazed at the intensity of the blue tails on those every time I see them. Besides flowers, what else in nature is that blue?!?! :eek1:

D80

Thanks, I agree. The color just blows my mind! A few other lizards in Az have intense blues and greens... but nothing like that.

 

[m_epping]

that is one of the cutest things i have ever seen!

 

[Maize411]

Awesome find! I love his tail colors :0)

 

[Jynx]

Actually, those guys are very adaptable, and can be found just about all over the country!