A Rare Skink Sighting

We’ve no lack of reptiles here on the acre. Gopher snakes, king snakes, the occasional rattlesnake, alligator lizards and western fence lizards (aka, the “blue belly”) are all common sights around here. Actually, the fence lizard is so common in summer that you’ll nearly walk on a dozen just crossing the yard. What isn’t a common sight though is a skink — a western skink in this case.

These guys are usually pretty shy. I’ve only seen a few over the years, and even then only in dark places like wet woodpiles and compost heaps. But here was this one sitting out in the open catching a few rays on the first pleasant afternoon is some time.

Click the photos for a closer look.