General Distribution
This common, but secretive, species is found throughout northern California. In central
and southern California the western skink is restricted to the Coast Ranges and southern
mountains exclusive of desert regions. Found in a variety of habitats, this lizard is
commonest in early successional stages or open areas within habitats in which it occurs.
Heavy brush and densely forested areas are generally avoided. Elevation sea level to at
least 2130 m (7000 ft). Habitat Requirements
Cover for these secretive lizards is provided by rotting logs, surface litter, and
large flat stones. Western skinks are good burrowers and sometimes construct burrows
several times their own body length. Reproduction
Nest chambers are constructed by females in loose moist soil several cm
deep; under surface objects, especially flat stones, sometimes in, or in the vicinity of, rock
outcrops. This lizard is commonest in early successional stages or open areas within
habitats in which it occurs. Heavy brush and densely forested areas are generally avoided. Daily/Seasonal Activity
This skink is diurnal during the period of warm-season activity. During
summer most activity is concentrated in the morning and late afternoon. Where summer
temperatures are not extreme, activity extends throughout the day (Zweifel 1952, Tanner
1957). Males are most often encountered in spring during the early part of the reproductive
season while guarding egg clutches. At this time they become quite secretive. Adult skinks
usually become inactive by early fall but juveniles extend their period of activity several
weeks. Diet and Foraging
Skinks forage actively through leaf litter and dense vegetation and occasionally
dig in loose soil. Tanner (1957) reported insect eggs, adult and larval beetles, caterpillars,
moths, grasshoppers, crickets, insect larvae, ants, spiders, centipedes, and sow bugs among
the food items of the western skink. Prey is sometimes stalked. Cannibalism has been
reported (Zweifel 1952). Territoriality/Home Range
There is little information on the exact nature of the home range in this
skink. Studying the related species E. fasciatus in Kansas, Fitch and von Achen (1977) found
that females guarding eggs had extremely small home ranges of 0.005 ha (0.01 ac). During
the rest of the year females had home ranges averaging 0.09 ha (0.2 ac), only a little less
than those of males. Home ranges apparently are not fixed, but are subject to constant
revision depending on environmental conditions. Complete relocation is not uncommon.
Tanner (1957) doubted the existence male territoriality. Females stay in the
vicinity of egg clutches and in some cases guard the eggs from intruders (Tanner 1943,
1957). Predator-Prey Relations
Western skinks have been found in the stomachs of rattlesnakes (Zweifel 1952)
and garter snakes (Tanner 1943). They are probably food for several other snakes, including
night snakes, kingsnakes, ringneck snakes, and racers. Other probable predators include
diurnal birds and a variety of mammals. Literature Cited
Fitch, H. S., and P. L. Von Achen. 1977. Spatial relationships and seasonality in the
skinks Eumeces facsciatus and Scincella laterale in northeastern Kansas.
Herpetologica 33:303-313.
Punzo, F. 1982. Clutch and egg size in several species of lizards from the desert
southwest. J. Herpetol. 16:414-417.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Tanner, W. W. 1943. Notes on the life history of Eumeces skiltonianus skiltonianus.
Great Basin Nat. 4:81-88.
Tanner, W. W. 1957. A taxonomic and ecological study of the western skink (Eumeces
skiltonianus). Great Basin Nat. 17:59-94.
Zweifel, R. G. 1952. Notes on the lizards of the Coronados Islands, Baja California,
Mexico. Herpetologica 8:9-11.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
