Northern Coal Skink
(Eumeces a. anthracinus)
The Northern Coal Skink is 5 - 7 inches in length. They are generally brown in color with 4 lighter colored stripes that extend from the neck to the tail. A dark bank of 2 or more scale rows usually separates each pair of light stripes on either side of the lizard. males will occasionally have a reddish tint on their head.
Mating is usually observed in Spring and early Summer with 8 or 9 eggs laid in June. The eggs usually hatch 4 - 5 weeks later.
Northern Coal Skinks are usually found damp forested areas with plenty of leaf litter or loose stones to hide. When disturbed these skinks will often dive under rocks in nearby streams for cover.