The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is a sleek, smooth-scaled lizard typically measuring 5–8 inches long, including its tail. Juveniles have five pale stripes running along their dark bodies and a brilliant blue tail. As they mature, their stripes and tail color often fade, and adult males develop reddish-orange coloring on their heads during breeding season.
Diet: Feeds primarily on insects, spiders, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates. They occasionally eat snails and other small animals.
Range: Eastern North America, from southern Canada and the Great Lakes region south to the Gulf Coast and northern Florida, and west into parts of the Great Plains and eastern Texas.
Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, rocky outcrops, and areas with fallen logs, loose bark, and leaf litter. They seek sunny spots for basking while relying on nearby cover to escape predators.
Interesting Fact: When threatened, a five-lined skink can detach its tail, which continues to wiggle and distract the predator while the lizard escapes. The tail can gradually regrow, although the replacement is often different in color and structure. Females also guard their eggs in protected nests until they hatch.
A Little History: This five-lined skink illustration features a the Star Bricks. Made in Nelsonville, Ohio, these distinctive clay paving bricks became famous for their durability and signature pattern. Nelsonville bricks earned first prize for paving brick at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, and many of the original bricks can still be found along the town’s historic streets and sidewalks.
Product Details: This listing is for a print of my original work. Printed on high quality watercolor paper with archival ink. Watermark will not appear on your print. Each print is hand signed, giving it a unique touch.
Shipping details: Prints will be packaged in a protective cellophane sleeve with backing board, and shipped to you in a sturdy mailer. Orders are shipped First Class via USPS within 2 business days of initial order.
Year created: 2022
Copyright Nora Steele 2026
Images may not be reproduced, resold or used in any form without written consent. This listing is for print only, frame is not included.
The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is a sleek, smooth-scaled lizard typically measuring 5–8 inches long, including its tail. Juveniles have five pale stripes running along their dark bodies and a brilliant blue tail. As they mature, their stripes and tail color often fade, and adult males develop reddish-orange coloring on their heads during breeding season.
Diet: Feeds primarily on insects, spiders, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates. They occasionally eat snails and other small animals.
Range: Eastern North America, from southern Canada and the Great Lakes region south to the Gulf Coast and northern Florida, and west into parts of the Great Plains and eastern Texas.
Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, rocky outcrops, and areas with fallen logs, loose bark, and leaf litter. They seek sunny spots for basking while relying on nearby cover to escape predators.
Interesting Fact: When threatened, a five-lined skink can detach its tail, which continues to wiggle and distract the predator while the lizard escapes. The tail can gradually regrow, although the replacement is often different in color and structure. Females also guard their eggs in protected nests until they hatch.
A Little History: This five-lined skink illustration features a the Star Bricks. Made in Nelsonville, Ohio, these distinctive clay paving bricks became famous for their durability and signature pattern. Nelsonville bricks earned first prize for paving brick at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, and many of the original bricks can still be found along the town’s historic streets and sidewalks.
Product Details: This listing is for a print of my original work. Printed on high quality watercolor paper with archival ink. Watermark will not appear on your print. Each print is hand signed, giving it a unique touch.
Shipping details: Prints will be packaged in a protective cellophane sleeve with backing board, and shipped to you in a sturdy mailer. Orders are shipped First Class via USPS within 2 business days of initial order.
Year created: 2022
Copyright Nora Steele 2026
Images may not be reproduced, resold or used in any form without written consent. This listing is for print only, frame is not included.
