Creature Feature – Five-Lined Skink

Although we picture lizards in desert landscapes or on exotic islands, New York is home to three lizard species. The most common one is the five-lined skink.

Five-lined skinks measure only 5-8 inches long, including their tail.  Their scales are smooth, giving them a shiny appearance.  Juveniles are black with cream-colored stripes and bright blue tails. These fade as they age, so older skinks are mostly brownish, although breeding males are orange around their jaws.  

Five-lined skinks are cold blooded.  To maintain an optimal body temperature, they absorb radiant heat by basking on rocks and logs. They favor moist habitats with ample cover, like logs, brush piles and abandoned structures.  In winter, they hibernate tucked in rocky crevices or buried under soil.

Skinks eat lots of spiders, crickets, beetles, flies, worms and grubs, helping to control populations of insects and other invertebrates.  Meanwhile, raptors, crows, snakes, foxes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, moles and shrews eat skinks.  In a bizarre survival mechanism, these lizards can spontaneously lose their tail, which thrashes on the ground, distracting the predator, and offering a window of escape.  A new, shorter tail eventually grows back.

During breeding season, male five-lined skinks defend their territory against other males.  Pregnant females lay their eggs in a nest under rotting stumps, boards or rocks, occasionally forming communal nests with other females.  Young skinks leave the nest a mere 1-2 days after hatching, ready to fend for themselves.

These same nesting habits often bring skinks close to homes, sheds, and landscaped yards where boards, loose rocks, woodpiles, and dense ground cover create ideal hiding spots. While the lizards themselves are generally harmless and even helpful in controlling insects, the environments that attract them can also invite a variety of other pests.

Over time, piles of debris, damp soil, and undisturbed materials can become shelter for insects, rodents, and other unwanted visitors. Managing these conditions through regular yard maintenance and habitat removal helps reduce the chances of pests settling in around buildings and outdoor living areas.

When these habitats become difficult to manage alone, professional pest control services can provide a more structured solution. Experienced technicians identify the conditions that allow pests to thrive and recommend practical steps to remove shelter, limit food sources, and discourage further activity.

Many property owners turn to resources including https://www.davesbugs.com/ to learn about habitat removal strategies and preventative pest services designed to keep outdoor spaces balanced and manageable. With consistent care and thoughtful maintenance, yards and surrounding structures remain far less inviting to pests that depend on cluttered or sheltered environments.

Article: Margie Manthey
Photo: Patrick Coin, Wikipedia