The blue-tailed mole skink is endemic to central Florida and was probably fairly widespread before the large-scale conversion of its habitat for agriculture (particularly citrus groves). Therefore, the two skinks occupy different niches and do not compete for food, even though they are occasionally seen together. Unlike the endangered sand skink ( Neoseps reynoldsi ), which forages underneath the sandy soil, the mole skink forages mostly on the surface. Moisture retained by litter is important for internal heat regulation in this species. Within scrub areas, skinks occupy only localized pockets of sufficient leaf litter and moisture to provide abundant food and nesting sites.
This species is more common in early successional forest stages and may not persist in mature sand pine scrub due to this requirement. Loose sand, vital for burrowing, is the primary habitat requirement. Dominant vegetation includes sand pine and rosemary, or longleaf pine and turkey oak associations. The larger habitat of the blue-tailed mole skink is sand pine scrub communities. Skinks become sexually mature during the first year. It mates during the winter, and females lay underground clutches of three to seven eggs in the spring. The mole skink forages on the surface or digs into the soil to find insects, feeding mostly on cockroaches, spiders, and crickets. Little is known of the biology of the blue-tailed mole skink, but it is presumed to be similar to the peninsular mole skink ( E. The tail, blue in juveniles and pinkish with age, is a little more than half the body length. The blue-tailed mole skink, Eumeces egregius lividus, has short, stubby legs and a thin, cylindrical body measuring from 3.6-5.2 in (9-13 cm). Lizard with a long, narrow, cylindrical body bluish tail in young.Īgricultural and residential development. Sand skink habitat occurs within the Lake Wales Ridge but is also found on the Winter Haven Ridge in Polk County and the Mount Dora Ridge in Lake.Blue-tailed Mole Skink Eumeces egregius lividus Status Wales Ridge in Highlands, Osceola, and Polk counties. Suitable bluetail mole skink habitat is restricted to xeric uplands within the Lake
Areas containing extensive rooted vegetation within this matrix may preclude sand skink movement and are less likely to be used by skinks.ĠThey appear to be most abundant in the ecotone between areas with abundant leaf litter and vegetative cover and adjacent open sands. Utilize a variety of other micro-habitats within xeric vegetative communities. Although sand skink tracks are most typically observed in open sandy areas, both species Skinks typically occur in habitats that contain a mosaic of open sandy patches interspersed with forbs, shrubs. Both species are most commonly associated with habitat dominated by xeric vegetation such as oak-dominated scrub, turkey oak barrens, high pine, and xeric hammocks Sand skinks (Neoseps reynoldsi) and bluetail mole skinks (Eumeces egregius lividus)Īre found in interior peninsular Florida. This has happened in the Blue-tailed Mole Skink's habitat, limiting the places this creature can live. Naturally occurring wildfires keep a habitat in check without regular fires a habitat will overgrow and eventuallyĬhange into a different habitat type. Fire suppression has also affected this habitat.
The skink declined as the area developed. This skink's habitat, of small pockets within larger sand pine scrub and sandhill areas, was substantially modified during the 20th century by citrus farming and residential, commerical, and recreationalĭevelopment. It is classified as threatened in Florida, where it lives only in Polk and HighlandsĬounties. Endangered Status The Blue-tailed Mole Skink, a subspecies of the Mole Skink, is on the U.S.
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