Family: Scincidae, Skinks view all from this family

Description 5-8 1/8" (13-20.6 cm). Brown, with 4 dark-edged light stripes extending onto tail. Light stripes on side separated by dark band 2 scale rows wide. Upper light stripes follow adjoining edges of 4th and 5th scale rows counting from middle of back. Pale stripe may run down middle of back. Upper labial scales, 7. Breeding male may have orange on head. Young have bright blue tail.

Subspecies Northern Prairie Skink (E. s. septentrionalis), mid-back pale stripe present; S. Manitoba; Minnesota, w. Wisconsin, and se. North Dakota south to c. Kansas.
Southern Prairie Skink (E. s. obtusirostris), mid-back stripe faint or absent; sc. Kansas to c. Texas and the Gulf Coast.
The two subspecies are sometimes considered separate species. Some authorities recognize a third subspecies, Pallid Skink (E. s. pallidus).

Breeding Mates May to June. Clutch of 5-18 eggs is laid May to July.

Habitat Moist terrain with vegetation and loose soil; rocky, gravelly washes.

Range S. Manitoba south through e. North Dakota, Minnesota, and w. Wisconsin; south to coastal Texas.

Discussion Active during twilight and predawn hours. Terrestrial; the Prairie Skink is found under rocks, boards, or leaf litter. When disturbed, it retreats into a burrow or disappears into the vegetation. It feeds on insects, spiders, and snails.