Lizards

Five-lined Skink

Plestiodon fasciatus

Length is 5-8" (12.5 - 21.5cm)
Juvenile Five-lined Skink (right): black with five yellow/cream stripes; fading with age; brilliant blue tail; becomes grey with age

Brilliant juvenile colours fade with maturity to brown/grey/olive base and the five white/yellow stripes darken so there is less contrast (below-left).
Skinks may lose their tail to predators, but a new short grey tail will grow again.
Male's develop a reddish/orange colouring on their nose and jaw (below).
Five-lined Skinks inhabit open deciduous forest or field habitats where sufficient debris is available, and rock outcrops often along on lakeshores.
They eat invertebrates; large adults can even eat newborn mice and small frogs.
SPECIAL CONCERN - Southern Shield Population
ENDANGERED - Carolinian Population

Reproduction:

Females construct a nest under flat logs/rocks. Nests may be shared by more than one female.
6-10 eggs laid in June or early July.
Eggs hatch in 24-55 days.

What's the difference. Lizard or Salamander?

Salamanders are amphibians, lizards are reptiles. They both have long tails and four legs.
Salamanders would quickly dry out if they lived in the hot, dry habitat that the five-lined skinks like.
Lizards are covered in scales; very active; and can quickly move around the ground during the day.
Salamanders have soft, moist skin, are slow moving, and remain under shelter during the day.