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Squamata suborder
Sauria
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Search for another IL amphibian or reptile Search for IL amphibians & reptiles by county Go to the INHS Amphibian & Reptile Collection homepage Search the INHS collections data for amphibians & reptiles Search the INHS Type Specimen Data for amphibians & reptiles | ![]()
Purple shade indicates vouchered specimens. Light blue (cyan)
shade indicates photographic records. Yellow shade indicates verified
sighting. |
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Key Characters: Smooth body scales; eight supralabial scales; one postlabial scale. Similar Species: Five-lined skink. Description: A large (up to 25 cm TL), stout lizard similar in color and pattern to the five-lined skink. Habitat: Open forests and around barns and outbuildings near forest edge. Natural History: One of the most arboreal lizards in Illinois. Adults usually climb high into the nearest tree when disturbed. Mating occurs in May with eggs laid from late June to July. Five to 20 eggs are laid in sawdust piles, under fallen logs, and under leaf litter. Females usually remain with the eggs until hatching. Hatchlings range in size from 6 to 8 cm TL. Arthropods are the main prey. Predators include birds of prey and small mammals. Status: Locally common in the southern third of the state (see distribution map, above). |
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