Lizards - Order Squamata, Suborder Lacertilia

Five-Lined Skink Eumeces fasciatus

 

These little lizards seem to becoming harder to find in some of their range in northern and western Ohio.  Luckily they can still be easy to observe throughout much of SE Ohio.  They can be found in areas with plenty of places to hide and sunlight, such as rocky hillsides, railroads, and woodpiles.  They also are found under artificial and natural cover, like logs, boards and carpet. They can be quite difficult to catch, and most attempts finish comically.  The easiest method is to surprise them early in the morning while they are still under a piece of cover.  Care must be taken not to grip them too firmly, or they will quickly break off their tail in an attempt to fool potential predators.