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Many-lined Skink
(Eumeces multivirgatus)
Identification: Upper side of adults pale gray with bold, dark, and more or less straight-edged uppermost stripes; scales on back smooth, shiny, tightly overlapping, with rounded rear edge; scales on sides of body (midway between limbs) in horizontal rows; tail (if never broken) 1.5–2.0 times as long as head and body (but most adults have a regenerated tail); maximum size about 19 cm (7.5 inches) total length and 7.3 cm (2.9 inches) snout-vent length.
Mature male: Lips reddish during breeding season.
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Hatchling: Tail bright blue; upper side dark with
light stripes consisting of rows of tiny spots, with the outer stripes
brighter than the stripe along the middle of the back
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Colorado Distribution:
Northeastern and east-central
Colorado, at elevation principally below 5,500 feet. Spotty distribution in much
of the range; secretive and hard to find in most areas, but generally more
abundant than it appears to be.
Habitat:
Sandhills and plains grassland;
areas of loose sandy soil and prairie-dog towns; seldom seen away from cover;
usually found under objects such as rocks, logs, trash, or cattle dung; goes
underground and becomes difficult to find when surface conditions are hot and
dry (and in winter).
Life History:
Females lay eggs apparently in May-June
and attend them until after they hatch. Hatchlings emerge as early as mid-July.