Broad-Headed Skink
Plestiodon laticeps
The Broad-Headed Skink is Florida’s largest native skink and an agile climber often found on mature trees and fallen logs.
The Broad-Headed Skink is Florida’s largest native skink and an agile climber often found on mature trees and fallen logs.
Adults are robust with smooth glossy scales. Breeding males develop an enlarged orange-red head. Females retain stripes more often. Juveniles are dark with pale stripes and a bright blue tail.
Climbs trunks and hunts around logs, bark, and tree cavities. When threatened it moves quickly into cover and may release part of its tail.
Nonvenomous and harmless when left alone. Avoid handling because a frightened skink may bite or drop its tail.
Treat native reptiles as wildlife. Do not collect from protected lands or destroy occupied habitat. Follow current state and local possession rules.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Insects, spiders, snails, small lizards, and other small animals found on trees or in leaf litter.
Behavior:
Climbs trunks and hunts around logs, bark, and tree cavities. When threatened it moves quickly into cover and may release part of its tail.
Daytime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm sunny mornings on logs, mature trees, fences, and wooded yard edges
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern
Safety Level:
Safe to Observe
Safety Information:
Nonvenomous and harmless when left alone. Avoid handling because a frightened skink may bite or drop its tail.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes many insects and spiders and adds value to yards with mature trees, leaf litter, and low pesticide use.
Property Concerns:
Cats, pesticides, and removal of logs or old trees reduce local populations. Skinks sometimes enter garages but cause no structural damage.
Fun Fact:
Young Broad-Headed Skinks use a brilliant blue tail to draw predator attention away from the head and body.
Wildlife Laws:
Treat native reptiles as wildlife. Do not collect from protected lands or destroy occupied habitat. Follow current state and local possession rules.
Identification:
Adults are robust with smooth glossy scales. Breeding males develop an enlarged orange-red head. Females retain stripes more often. Juveniles are dark with pale stripes and a bright blue tail.