Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
skink
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Emoia caeruleocauda, the Pacific bluetail skink, with a bright blue tail and striped body, stands on a piece of dark wood with blurred mushrooms in the background. Broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps). snake-eyed skink
At a Glance
Broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps).
skink summary
Quizzes
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
Lion (panthera leo)
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)
Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz
Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)
Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz
The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024
Animal Factoids
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Emoia caeruleocauda, the Pacific bluetail skink, with a bright blue tail and striped body, stands on a piece of dark wood with blurred mushrooms in the background.
blue-tailed skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) Potential predators of the blue-tailed skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) are attracted to its tail, which can be shed at will.

skink

lizard
Also known as: Scincidae
Written by
Laurie Vitt
George Lynn Cross Research Professor and Curator Emeritus, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma. Coauthor of Herpetology and others.
Laurie Vitt
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

skink, (family Scincidae), any of about 1,275 species of lizards, mostly secretive ground dwellers or burrowers, that are represented throughout most of the world but are especially diverse in Southeast Asia and its associated islands, the deserts of Australia, and the temperate regions of North America. The bodies of skinks are typically cylindrical in cross section, and most species have cone-shaped heads and long, tapering tails. The largest species, the prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata), reaches...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile