Scientific Name: Plestiodon septentriontis
(Formerly: Eumeces septentrionalis)
Family: Scincidae
Description and Size
- Smooth scales
- Small fore and hind limbs
- Total length: 12.7-22.4 cm (5.0-8.8 inches)
- Bright white stripe on the 4th and 5th scale rows from the middle of the back
- Has additional stripes that run from head tail
- Base color: brown to olive brown
- Males: bright reddish-orange chin during the breeding season
Diet
- Terrestrial arthropods
- Cannibalization does occur
- Females will eat infected or bad eggs
Range
Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.
Life History
- Diurnal
- Active season: April (males), May (females) – Early fall (Breckenridge 1943)
- Breeding season: May – July
- Lays eggs
- 5-13 eggs per female (Pitt)
Habitat
- Alongside streams or reservoirs
- Grassy, rocky hillsides
- Loose, loamy, or gravelly soils