I was with my two sons in North Carolina in the Croatan National Forest, inland from the Patsy Pond Nature Trail, looking for carnivorous plants. Sam's dog, Nebo, disturbed a large broadhead skink near a stump and it ran across the ground for about ten yards and then scrambled up the side of a tree. It stayed stationary for awhile, giving us a chance to photograph and admire it.
It is endemic to the mid to southeastern U.S. (Kansas and eastern Texas to the east coast and Ohio to the Gulf Coast) and can grow up to 13 inches long. The name comes from its wide jaws that give its head a triangular look. We saw an adult male which is brown or olive brown with an orange head during mating season, which it apparently was.
They often climb trees for shelter, to sleep and to search for food. I've not seen a lot of skinks and was quite excited by this find.
Skink = skinny in my mind, and this fits the bill. I love the red head. Is he blushing because of his courting?
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