Head to head
Broadhead Skink vs Great Plains Skink
A broadhead skink and a Great Plains skink are both larger-than-average members of their family found across different parts of the United States, but each spends its life in a genuinely different way, one high in the trees and the other buried beneath rocks and soil.
| Broadhead Skink | Great Plains Skink | |
|---|---|---|
| Genus | Plestiodon | Plestiodon |
| Signature trait | Seasonal broadened orange head (males) | Vivid blue juvenile tail |
| Preferred layer | Climbs into trees | Beneath rocks and soil |
| Native range | Southeastern United States | Central United States |
| Relative size | Largest eastern US skink | Among the larger central US skinks |
| Bite strength | Notably powerful in males | Not a defining trait |
| Tail autotomy | Yes | Yes |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Broadhead Skink vs Great Plains Skink: common questions
Which skink is the better climber, the broadhead skink or the Great Plains skink?
The broadhead skink is by far the more accomplished climber, frequently found well up in trees taking advantage of additional foraging and shelter opportunities, whereas the Great Plains skink spends much of its time hidden beneath rocks and within loose soil, reflecting a more burrowing, ground-based lifestyle rather than any significant climbing behaviour.
Do both skinks change colour as they grow?
Only the Great Plains skink displays a clear age-related colour change, with juveniles showing a vivid blue tail that fades considerably by adulthood, while the broadhead skink's most notable colour change is instead tied to breeding season in adult males, whose heads widen and turn bright orange rather than any change occurring between juvenile and adult stages.
Which skink has the more powerful bite?
The broadhead skink, particularly a mature male during breeding season, is known for a surprisingly powerful bite relative to its size, a capability directly linked to the enlarged jaw musculature responsible for its broadened head, a trait not specifically documented as a standout feature of the Great Plains skink.