Missouri Department of Conservation
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Southern Coal Skink

Plestiodon anthracinus pluvialis
Family: 
Scincidae (skinks) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description: 

Few people know about this secretive lizard. They have a wide, coal-black line along their sides. During the breeding season males have an orange head.

Size: 
Average length is from 5 to 6 inches.
Habitat and conservation: 
Occurs in forests near streams, rivers or sloughs. Seems to prefer open, damp, rock-strewn woods where it takes shelter under logs, bark, leaf litter or rocks. They are seldom seen because they quickly hide when approached.
Foods: 
Eats a variety of small insects and spiders.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Coal skinks live on rocky glades in the southern half of the state.

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