We went to Fort Yargo State Park to photograph some wildflowers and, in the course of our walk, encountered two skinks.
The first encounter began when something with a tail appeared to slide behind a pine tree. All I saw was what looked like the tip of a tail and it didn’t go far. It was just behind the trunk or it had gone up the tree. I thought it was a snake so we circled around the tree in the hope that we could identify it and get some photographs. But it turned out that I’d seen a lizard. W found it on the tree trunk about four feet above the ground.
This looks like it’s a female. The body is distended as if it’s carrying eggs.
The second encounter was at the end of a pedestrian bridge that crosses a small inlet on the lake. It’s not uncommon to encounter skinks sunning themselves but it’s difficult to photograph them. I’m not sure this lizard was paying attention because I had stepped onto the decking before it moved.
It scampered down the rail support and stopped. I don’t think it really wanted to leave its sunny spot. The ‘lines’ are evident in this photograph.
It dropped down onto the ground but, after I moved to get a photograph from a different angle, it scampered under the bridge out of sight.
These were quite large skinks; I suspect they are Five-lined Skinks (Eumeces fasciatus). It’s always a treat to see these lizards although it’s surprising to see two in one day.
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Identification resource:
- Lizards of Georgia and South Carolina: Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus)
Related post:
- Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus)
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