Ground Skink: The Snake-Like Lizard

The ground skink is one of the smallest species of skinks, and they are also one of the most terrestrial. Ground skinks don’t like to climb and will only do so when feeling exceptionally threatened. Instead, you’re more likely to hear ground skinks skittering underneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. 

There are about 1,500 skink species around the world, and 14 types of skinks in Florida, 12 of those being native. 

What Is A Ground Skink?

A ground skink is a snake-like lizard with tiny legs. People sometimes call them “little brown skinks”, an apt name considering they only reach about 3 – 5.5 in (7.5 – 14.5 cm) in length. 

Their bodies may be gold, brown, or almost black. Most are medium brown with a coppery tinge to the skin. The skin of their belly is white or light yellow. They also have a long, dark brown stripe running down each side of their body. Their tails are light brown to gray with a dark brown stripe down the center. 

Juveniles have slightly different coloration than their adult counterparts. Their bodies are medium-brown with black flecks across the body, most abundant at the tip of the tail. Young ground skinks also have dark stripes across their heads that go toward their tails. 

Ground skinks have a transparent disc that sits in their lower eyelid. They use this disc to see around them even when they have their eyes closed. 

• Common Names: Ground Skink, Little Brown Skink, Brown-Backed Skink   
• Scientific Name: Scincella lateralis 
• Origin: Eastern and Central United States 
• Size (Length): 3 – 5.5 in (7.5 – 14.5 cm)
• Lifespan: Up to 2 years 

Ground Skink Range 

Ground skinks live across the eastern and central portion of the United States. They live as far north as southern New Jersey and as far south as the Florida Keys. The species goes westward through Kansas, southern and central Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. Ground skinks do not live throughout the Appalachians. 

Ground Skink Habitat

Ground skinks prefer moist woodland habitats with loose soil and plenty of leafy debris. They are a shy species that spends most of its time hiding under logs, rocks, and leaves. 

As their name suggests, ground skinks almost never climb trees. Instead, they skitter rapidly through the leaf litter on the ground. Their speed, coupled with their long, slender bodies, often makes them look like they’re swimming through the leaves. 

People describe these skinks as “snake-like” because they don’t use their legs while making these escapes. They only use the strength of their body. 

Behavior & Temperament 

The ground skink is a small lizard that spends much of its brief life hibernating. These skinks hibernate over winter from November to February or early March. They are most active during the day between the months of March and October. Those living in the southernmost part of their range may not hibernate and will stay active year round. 

The ground skink will speed away to find a hiding spot when it feels threatened. If it’s caught, it will drop its tail to escape. Skinks have special vertebrae that break off easily to allow the tail to detach with minimal damage. Once detached, the tail will trash around for a time, often distracting the predator long enough for the skink to find safety. 

Because they are easily frightened, you’re more likely to hear these skinks than see them. They live mostly amongst leaf litter, where they dig and burrow loudly. 

Diet 

A carnivorous species, ground skinks feed mostly on insects and spiders. They may eat other small invertebrates as well. Some of their favorite prey include termites, millipedes, wood roaches, ants, and wood-boring beetles. 

Adults forage for food about every 2-3 days while juveniles search for food every other day. Skinks use their sense of smell to detect prey hiding underground.  

Predators 

Snakes are the most common predator of ground skinks, such as common scarlet kingsnakes and copperheads. Other predators include wolf spiders, eastern bluebirds, and barred owls. 

Reproduction 

It takes ground skinks about one year to become sexually mature and reach their full adult length. 

Mating occurs in late winter or spring, but most often occurs between April and July. 

Males will mate with as many females as they can within their home range. They find potential mates by using their tongue to detect pheromones produced by the female. Males will fight with each other if there is competition to decide who mates with an available female. 

Researchers believe that female ground skinks may lay several clutches a breeding season, but this isn’t yet proven. They deposit 2-7 eggs in rotting logs or moist soil. Multiple females may lay their eggs in the same nest, so a single nest may contain up to 60 eggs. 

Unlike other skinks, ground skinks have considerably short incubation periods. The Missouri Department of Conservation describes the process‌:

“The eggs are often retained inside the female for a considerable period, and the embryos are well developed when the eggs are laid. This shortens the incubation period so that it is only about 22 days.” 

Hatching takes place at the end of summer, in July or August. The mother does not guard the nest after laying her eggs. 

Conclusion 

Unlike most skink species, the ground skink doesn’t like to climb trees. It avoids heights, but slithers easily through dense leaf litter on the ground. They travel rapidly through the leaves without the use of their legs, causing people to mistake them for snakes at first glance. 

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