Otherwise, a bite might be in your future.Īnother potential issue is the poison. You should never try to handle a skink or catch it with your bare hands. Plus, they can lead to infection if you don’t take care of the wound. However, bites do occur.īites rarely cause serious harm, but they can be painful. That behavior is pretty rare, as most garden skinks would prefer to flee rather than get into a confrontation. Skinks can sometimes resort to biting when threatened. These lizards can still cause some trouble. Now, that doesn’t mean that skinks are entirely harmless. In fact, those bright colors make them in high demand in the pet world!

Luckily, that’s not the case with skinks. The worry is perfectly reasonable with brightly colored species.īright colors often indicate a venomous nature. Many homeowners panic when they first see these little reptiles, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite their snake-like appearance, these lizards don’t pose an immediate threat to your safety. Are They Dangerous?įor the most part, skinks aren’t dangerous. You can get a better idea of the species in your area, but there’s a good chance that several are capable of inhabiting your home. You might come across well-camouflaged arboreal species that prefer to climb up your walls or a slithering skink with no legs at all. While they all have similar features, some are more exotic-looking than others. The term “skink” refers to a wide range of lizard-like reptiles. Others have striking color patterns and bright blue tongues that stand out. Some are muted and take on relatively neutral colors like brown or black. More than 1,500 different known skink species exist. When it comes to color, there’s tons of variety out there. At first glance, the movement is almost identical to that of a snake slithering. Because their legs are so short and stubby, most species slink around rather than scurry away. Skinks also tend to navigate very differently than traditional lizards.

Pair that with the reduced toes, and you have an oddball reptile that can easily catch you off guard. Many skink species have legs that are pretty short relative to their body size and thickness. The legs are pretty short, too, which only adds to the confusion. Not only that, but the tail is long, thick, and tapered. Skinks have a distinct look that closely mimics that of a snake! Their bodies are big and girthy. You see, these aren’t your garden-variety lizards like anoles and geckos. Quick Tip: These creatures are often a victim of mistaken identity whenever homeowners run into them. While a few stray lizards here and there don’t seem like a huge problem, skink infestations can get out of hand pretty quickly! There, skinks will form communal nests and lay eggs to increase the population. However, they’re prevalent in coastal areas throughout the United States. Technically speaking, these lizards can appear anywhere in the world. Skinks are unique little reptiles that have a knack for invading homes.

Plaster bagworm