Characteristics:
    The ground skink is a very small lizard. Reaching a max length of around 5in. They have a light brown or sometimes bronze coloration with a dark brown stripe running down their side. The short stumpy legs, long tail, and small size make this a very distinct looking lizard that is not easily confused with anything else in the area.


Habitat:
    Frequently seen in woodland habitats that have abundant leaf litter. This is a ground dwelling species and does not often climb.


Behavior:
    A very small, and often times over looked lizard. The ground skink is exactly what the name suggests. A skink that lives on the ground. Mating occurs in the late spring/ early summer and eggs are laid a couple months later. The ground skink spends much of its time cruising the forest floor in search of prey. They feed on small invertebrates.


Personal Remarks:
    We encounter these little guys all over southern IL and MO. It seems that there is either a huge population of them or there are none at all. There have been times when we would see one of these guys shoot off of the trail in front of us into the leaf litter about every 50ft. They have truly mastered the art of vanishing into thin air. I can't count how many times we have seen one go under a rock or a leaf only to find that it has dissappeared when we lift it.