Family: Scincidae, Skinks view all from this family
Description 3 1/2-6 1/2" (8.9-16.5 cm). Relatively long-bodied brownish skink with 4 light stripes on head and body. Upper light stripes widen or diverge. Tail blue. Legs tiny; 5 toes. Ear opening partly closed. Supraocular scales, 3. Breeding male has reddish chin and belly.
Endangered Status The Blue-tailed Mole Skink, a subspecies of the Mole Skink, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as threatened in Florida, where it lives only in Polk and Highlands Counties. This skink's habitat, of small pockets within larger sand pine scrub and sandhill areas, was substantially modified during the 20th century by citrus farming and residential, commerical, and recreational development. The skink declined as the area developed. Fire suppression has also affected this habitat. Naturally occurring wildfires keep a habitat in check; without regular fires a habitat will overgrow and eventually change into a different habitat type. This has happened in the Blue-tailed Mole Skink's habitat, limiting the places this creature can live.
Habitat Inland sandhill scrub and turkey-oak.
Range Central sand ridge of Florida peninsula (Highlands and Polk Counties).
