FaunaHub

Skink (family Scincidae)

ReptileLizardScincidae

Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides), a stout lizard with smooth overlapping scales.

Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides).

Image: Michael Gäbler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Skinks (family Scincidae) make up one of the largest and most diverse families of lizards, with well over a thousand species worldwide. They typically have smooth, shiny, closely overlapping scales, a long body, and relatively short legs (some species have tiny or no limbs at all), giving many skinks a sleek, polished look and a slightly snake-like way of moving. The blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua), shown here, is a large, familiar example that flashes a bright blue tongue to startle predators.

Skinks live on every continent except Antarctica and fill a huge variety of roles, from leaf-litter hunters to burrowers to basking ground lizards.

Note: “skink” spans an enormous, varied family; details here use the blue-tongued skink as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Skinks occur worldwide except Antarctica, in habitats from rainforests, grasslands, and deserts to gardens and rocky areas. Many live among leaf litter or in burrows, while others bask in the open. Their wide distribution and varied lifestyles are part of what makes the family so successful and species-rich.

Diet

Most skinks are insectivores or omnivores, eating insects, snails, worms, and other small invertebrates; larger species such as blue-tongued skinks also take a good deal of plant matter, including leaves, flowers, and fruit, along with the occasional small animal. Diet varies widely across the family.

Behavior

Many skinks can shed their tail (autotomy) to escape a predator, leaving the wriggling tail behind as a distraction before later regrowing it. Blue-tongued skinks add another trick: when alarmed they open the mouth wide and stick out a startling blue tongue as a bluff. Skinks regulate their temperature by basking and seeking shade, and breeding strategies vary — some lay eggs while others give birth to live young.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Skinks are common and often live close to people, including in gardens, where they help control insects and other invertebrate pests. Some, such as blue-tongued skinks, are popular in the pet trade (where kept responsibly and legally). Many species are widespread, but some restricted-range skinks are of conservation concern. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific status.

More photos of the skink

A blotched blue-tongued skink basking, showing its banded body.

Blotched blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea).

Image: Matt from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Skink

Are skinks snakes or lizards?
Skinks are lizards, part of the family Scincidae. Some have very short legs or none at all and move in a snake-like way, which can cause confusion, but they are true lizards — most have eyelids and external ear openings, which snakes lack.
Why do blue-tongued skinks have a blue tongue?
It's a defensive bluff. When threatened, a blue-tongued skink opens its mouth and thrusts out its bright blue tongue, which can startle or confuse a predator long enough for the slow-moving lizard to escape. The vivid colour stands out as a sudden warning display.
Can skinks lose their tails?
Many can. Like a number of lizards, skinks can deliberately shed their tail (a process called autotomy) when grabbed by a predator. The detached tail keeps wriggling to distract the attacker while the skink escapes, and the tail later regrows, though often differently from the original.
What do skinks eat?
It depends on the species. Most skinks eat insects and other small invertebrates, while larger ones such as blue-tongued skinks are omnivores that also eat plenty of plant material — leaves, flowers, and fruit — plus the occasional small animal.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.