Rest assured that these small beings are entirely harmless and play a vital role in reducing Florida's population of nuisances like flies, ants, and roaches. There's no need for concern, as they lack venom and have no interest in engaging with you. In fact, the moment they catch sight of you or your furry companion, they'll swiftly head in the opposite direction. These creatures are known as Skinks.
These beings bear a resemblance to lizards, sporting a familiar overall body structure. Nevertheless, in contrast to lizards, Skinks boast shorter legs and a notably minimal neck giving off a slithering run that makes us want to run the other way.
They exhibit a diverse array of colors, encompassing tones like tan, black, iridescent, blue, orange, green, and numerous others.
Food Scavengers! Appreciate what they do for us.
Most Skink species in Florida are insectivores, and eat mostly insects. Yes, Great News!
Some of the different prey items that they hunt include beetles, flies, insect larvae, worms, snails, crickets, moths, and more. Omnivorous species also feed on fruits, vegetables, and leaves.
The majority of these lizards opt for a ground-dwelling existence, adopting a terrestrial way of life which is why you see them in your garage, porch and other areas as they hunt for food and water sources.. Additionally, numerous species engage in burrowing, rendering them fossorial creatures. Nevertheless, there are specific types that lean towards tree-climbing or inhabit aquatic environments such as swamps and wetlands.
Furthermore, many of these lizards exhibit territorial tendencies and actively drive away competitors. Their territorial claims often revolve around securing access to optimal food sources.
If you happen to see one of these creatures close to home, celebrate the fact that you have a natural eco-friendly environment to rid you of those other insects that are truly a nuisance.
