Northern Prairie Skink

Family: 
Scincidae (skinks) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description: 

There are two subspecies in our state, and they look quite similar. In general, these skinks have a longer tail than all other Missouri skinks. They are tan with a faint, light stripe down the back and one or two wide dark stripes along the sides. The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis septentrionalis) has more dark striping along the body and tail than the slightly smaller southern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis obtusirostris), whose stripes are fewer and fainter. Another way to tell them apart is their location (see Distribution notes below).

Size: 
Average total length is from 5 to 7.5 inches.
Habitat and conservation: 
The preferred habitat is flat rocks or similar shelter near small prairie streams in tallgrass prairie. This species spends much time under rocks and thatch, and suns for short periods during morning or early afternoon. These lizards require native prairie habitat in order to survive.
Foods: 
A variety of insects and spiders.
Distribution in Missouri: 
A small population of northern prairie skinks lives in one county in Missouri's extreme northwestern corner, and a small population of southern prairie skinks was recently found in southwestern Missouri.
Status: 
Both subspecies are listed in Missouri as Species of Conservation Concern. Like many organisms that can only live on native prairie, this lizard is declining due to degradation, loss and fragmentation of habitat.
Ecosystem connections: 
This species eats a variety of insects and spiders. Animals that prey on these lizards include snakes, hawks, badgers and skunks.