| 词条 | Plestiodon inexpectatus |
| 释义 |
| name = Southeastern five-lined skink | image = Southeastern Five-lined Skink, adult male, FL.jpg | image_caption = Male | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = [1] | genus = Plestiodon | species = inexpectatus | authority = (Taylor, 1932) | range_map = Plestiodon inexpectatus distribution.png | synonyms = *Eumeces inexpectatus Taylor, 1932
}} Plestiodon inexpectatus, the southeastern five-lined skink is a common skink in the southeastern United States. EtymologyThe specific name, inexpectatus ("the unexpected"), is possibly a reference to the unexpected discovery of this species in 1932, almost 175 years after Linnaeus described Plestiodon fasciatus, commonly known as the American five-lined skink. DescriptionAs their common name suggests, southeastern five-lined skinks have five characteristic narrow stripes along their bodies that become lighter with age. The middle stripe tends to be narrower than the others, and the dark areas between stripes are black in young skinks but become brown with age. A similar lizard, the common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), is slightly smaller than the southeastern five-lined skink and has broader stripes. However, it is difficult to discriminate between these two species on the basis of physical appearance. Young southeastern five-lined skinks have a bright blue or purplish tail, especially towards the tip. Also, stripes become a bright reddish orange towards the head. Juvenile coloration may persist into adulthood, giving the head of the animal an altogether orange-brown appearance. HabitatSoutheastern five-lined skinks are common inhabitants of wooded areas of the southeastern United States. They are commonly found on small islands off the southeastern coast even in the absence of fresh water and vegetation. BehaviorThey are diurnal ground-dwelling animals. DietLike other skinks of the genus Plestiodon, they feed primarily on insects, preferring larger prey such as grasshoppers. In captivityThis skink species is easy to maintain in captivity. It has the same requirements as the common five-lined skink, although it can tolerate dryer conditions. ReproductionSoutheastern five-lined skinks are oviparous; the clutch size varies from 6 to 12, with the number of eggs diminishing with higher latitudes. The female broods the eggs and protects them from predators, including other skinks. The hatchlings appear about one month after the eggs have been laid in early summer. References1. ^Hammerson, G. A. 2007. Plestiodon inexpectatus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. Downloaded on 21 July 2013. 2. ^Smith, H. M. 2005. Plestiodon: a replacement name for most members of the genus Eumeces in North America. Journ. Kansas Herp. (14): 15-16. Further reading
External links{{Wikispecies|Plestiodon}}
2 : Plestiodon|Reptiles described in 1932 |
| 随便看 |
|
开放百科全书收录14589846条英语、德语、日语等多语种百科知识，基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识，是一部内容自由、开放的电子版国际百科全书。