Eumeces skiltonianus

Western Skink

Identification/Variations: Easily identified with its striking blue tail, the Western Skink also has brown/black markings separated with white stripes. There are two regional variations of the Western Skink occurring in our area. Skilton's Skink is found throughout Oregon and Washington except at high elevations and along the coast and the Great Basin Skink is found in southern Idaho.

Range/Habitat: Western Skinks range from Baja California north into British Columbia. They range east from the coast ranges to central Idaho and Utah. In the western portion of their range they are found in forest clearings and along rocky hillsides. To the east they are found in open forests and are common along the rocky slopes of stream-banks.

Notes: A shy leaf litter lizard that does not spend a lot of time out in the open. Because of its tiny legs, some people might mistake it for a snake as it does slither around.