Identifying skinks

[RisiganL.]

Hi, I was wondering how to tell the difference between 5 lined skinks (Eumeces fasciatus) and the Southeastern 5 lined skink (Eumeces inexpectatus)? I live in an area where the range of the two species interlap. I see them all over the place but they seem too small to be adults.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

The only way you can really tell is by catching one and looking at the scales underneath the tail. If they all look about the same size it's a Five Lined. If there is an enlarged row down the middle then it's a Southern Five Lined.

 

[RisiganL.]

Thanks for the fast response! How would you catch these guys? They are all over the walls of my house but they are quick. I remember that I caught one on a glue trap and then released him buy putting vegetable oill on it. Do you think this is a good way to catch them?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I would definitely avoid the stress of using a sticky trap. The best way to catch them is with a pitfall trap. Basically you take a large coffee can or bucket and bury it into the ground up to the top of the lid. Then you place a large flat rock or board over it with just enough space for a skink to crawl under it. With luck, a skink should run under it for shelter and fall into the bucket below where it can't get out. These types of traps work best along a fence, wall or other barrier to help channel the lizards into the direction of the trap.

 

[RisiganL.]

Thanks again!