Discovering Washington's Blue-Tailed Skinks: Habitat & Behavior

Blue-tailed skink.Photo byJoshua J. CottenonUnsplash

Washington State is home to the northern blue-tailed skink, a subspecies of the common skink. These small lizards are typically found in forested areas, grasslands, and near water sources. They are known for their distinctive blue tails, especially in juveniles.

Blue-tailed skinks, particularly the northern blue-tailed skink, thrive in diverse habitats. They prefer areas with leaf litter and a lot of ground cover. They may venture into nearby open fields and grasslands for foraging. They frequently prefer areas that are close to streams and ponds where there is higher humidity.

Primarily active during the day, the blue-tailed skink prefers to be active and bask in the sun to help regulate its body temperature. It dines on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates and uses its agility to catch its prey.

The blue-tailed skink prefers to burrow into leaf litter or loose soil to hide from predators and help maintain its body temperature. Like many lizard species, the blue-tailed skink may drop their tails to distract predators. The tail will regrow over time. It dines on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates and uses its agility to catch its prey.

Their vibrant blue tails are especially prominent in juveniles, serving as a lure to predators while the skink escapes. They are fascinating creatures that play an essential role in their ecosystems! Have you ever seen a blue-tailed skink?

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