Handsome and clever, southeastern skinks are tough to spot

A five-lined skink COURTESY PHOTO The day was warm and sunny, the sort of day that says, “Get out and take a walk.” So I decided to do just that on the 3½-mile trail at Collier-Seminole State Park. After packing my binoculars, some water and signing out at the ranger station, I drove to the trailhead.

I had walked only a few hundred yards along the trail when I saw him, draped over a log, basking in a patch of sun. At only 8 inches long, he stood out with five yellow stripes down his back and a most stunning iridescent blue tail. A very handsome fellow indeed, he was unmistakably a southeastern five-lined skink (Eumeces inexpectatus).

People often confuse skinks with salamanders because the two are similar in size and shape. But salamanders that have thin, moist skin and are amphibians, whereas skinks have dry, scaly skin and are reptiles. Skinks are more closely related to iguanas and anoles than they are to salamanders.

There are more than 1,000 species of skinks found on every continent except Antarctica. Three species live in Florida, and only the southeastern variety lives in South Florida.

Skinks defend themselves in a most unusual way, by disconnecting their tail from their body when in danger. By contracting muscles in their tail, they can separate specialized vertebrae. They don’t bleed because they constrict muscles at the stump. The released tailpiece wiggles, keeping the attacker busy as the skink escapes. (Scientists believe the tailpiece has a foul taste, which discourages predators from trying to catch other skinks). The skink grows a new tail, but it is made of cartilage rather than bone.

It’s best to leave skinks alone. Trying to catch one might cause the skink permanent harm. If you should happen to touch one by accident, don’t worry. No Florida skinks are poisonous.

Southeastern five-lined skinks are common to wooded areas, where they like to hang out under decaying leaves, logs and stumps. Unlike salamanders, they also live in dry areas. You can even find skinks on coastal islands that have no fresh water source or vegetation. They eat large insects, beetles, spiders and especially grasshoppers. If need be, they will climb dead trees to find insects.

If you want fewer ants or other insects around your home, try welcoming skinks in your garden. Just make a brush pile or let fallen logs stay where they are. If you have a wooded area, let the leaves collect on the ground. This should attract skinks, which will lessen your mosquitoes and other pests.

Because skinks are cold-blooded, they must regulate their body temperature by sunning on cold days and staying in shady protected areas when the temperature goes too high. They’re generally wary and secretive, so I felt honored to see one on my walk.

If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, I suggest hiking one of the three trails at Collier-Seminole State Park. Even if you don’t see a skink, I’m sure you’ll see other natural sights to make the trip worthwhile.

— Lee B elanger is a seasonal v olunteer trail and canoe g uide at C ollier-Seminole State P ark. To c ontact her, e-mail L ungwort@ aol.com. 

Guided trips begin soon

Guided canoe trips and hikes begin in December at Collier-Seminole State Park. The first moonlight canoe trip is Tuesday, Dec. 1, and the first daytime canoe trip is Wednesday, Dec. 2. The first guided night hike is Monday, Dec. 14. In the meantime:

>>Rent a canoe: Paddle down the Blackwater River through a mangrove forest toward the Gulf of Mexico. Rentals available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

>>Hike 11 miles of trails: Experience pine flatwoods, cypress areas and rare royal palm hammocks. Trails are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The entrance to Collier-Seminole State Park is at 20200 U.S. 41 East, eight miles east of Collier Boulevard. Park entrance fee is $4 for up to eight people in a car; there is an additional fee for camping. Call 392-3397 for more information.