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How to Tell the Difference Between a Male or Female Southeastern Five-Lined Skink

The Southeastern five-lined skink is a shiny, slender lizard that grows to about 9 inches. The species has a gray brown or black background with five bright yellow or cream-colored lines running lengthwise from the nose to the tail. The nonvenomous lizard lives in South Carolina and Georgia, is active during the day and dwells on the ground and in trees. Females lay up to a dozen eggs between May and July. You can differentiate between male and female Southeastern five-lined skinks by noting color patterns, body differences and behavioral traits.

Instructions

- 1
  Compare the skinks' heads. The head of the male Southeastern five-lined skink is wider and redder than that of the female skink.
- 2
  Study the lizards' striping. The yellow lines of the male Southeastern five-lined skinks fade as they mature, and their bodies become brown all over. Females retain their striping throughout their lives.
- 3
  Look at the skinks' tails. As male Southeastern five-lined skinks age, their tails turn gray. Females keep the blue tails they were born with.
- 4
  Evaluate the lizards' behavior. The male Southeastern five-lined skink runs toward another skink with his mouth open. If the other skink shows aggression in return, it's a male. If it stands still or flees, it's a female.

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