Far Eastern Skink

Far Eastern Skink

Became a different species from Japanese lizard (Plestiodon japonicus).

Characteristics

Juveniles and adults have different body colors. Adults have a dark brown line running along the sides of their brown bodies. During the breeding season, males are reddish from the cheeks to the belly. Juveniles are dark brown with five light brown vertical stripes running from head to tail. The tail has a metallic blue color. The whole body is shiny and looks slimy, but when you touch it, it's not. The belly is soft, and the area between the front and hind legs appears swollen. It looks almost the same as the Japanese lizard that inhabits western Japan, but it is a different species with different genes.

Picture of Far Eastern Skink

Ecology

They come out in sunny places, from the mountains to the gardens of people's houses. It preys on animals such as insects and earthworms. It is targeted by various animals such as cats and birds. When it senses danger, it cuts off its tail to save its life. The cut tail moves for a while to attract the attention of predators. The tail regenerates, but the bone does not grow back.

Habitat

I photographed juveniles emerging in the sun in Hachioji City. They are rather cautious, so if they are too close, they will quickly run away under the leaves.

When I was a child, there was a capture point for the Eastern Japanese lizard under a sunny planter on the way to school, and I often caught it. He pushed a planter with his foot and escaped, but a few friends surrounded him and caught him. It's pretty quick, so if you don't move fairly quickly, you'll escape. I remember feeling kind of sorry when the tail was cut off when I caught it.

Pictures

Introducing a picture of Far Eastern Skink.

Picture of Far Eastern Skink1|Juvenile with vertical stripes running down the back.
Juvenile with vertical stripes running down the back.
Picture of Far Eastern Skink2|Juveniles are glossy blue down the tail.
Juveniles are glossy blue down the tail.
Picture of Far Eastern Skink3|Adult. It looks a little thicker.
Adult. It looks a little thicker.
Picture of Far Eastern Skink4|Five thin fingers.
Five thin fingers.
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Pictures of Far Eastern Skink.

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