Life History and Ecology of the Five-Lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatusFitch, Henry S. (Henry Sheldon)
Science
Life History and Ecology of the Five-Lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus
Fitch, Henry S. (Henry Sheldon)
Eumeces fasciatus
Among other reptiles, turtles are much better known, as detailed studies
of movements have been made on several species, of which the life
histories and ecology have been thoroughly investigated (Nichols, 1939;
Cagle, 1942 and 1944; Woodbury and Hardy, 1948; Stickel, 1950). They
have been found to have well-defined and fairly extensive home ranges,
which are not defended as territories. Studies of movements in several
different kinds of snakes, by Blanchard and Finster (1933), Stickel and
Cope (1947), Fitch (1949), Lowe and Norris (1950), and Carpenter (1952)
have shown that these reptiles usually have definite home ranges, which
may be several or many acres in extent. Their home ranges are not
defended as territories against other members of the species. In
general, turtles and snakes have been found to occupy home ranges that
are much larger than those of lizards.
Most information concerning movements of _Eumeces fasciatus_ has been
obtained from the recapture of marked individuals. Actual distances of
travel, and the time, frequency and motivation of movement was
uncertain. A skink marked, recorded, and subsequently recaptured at a
second location may have wandered widely in the meantime, visiting
points relatively remote from either location of capture. The two points
of capture may be within a home range regularly or occasionally covered
by the individual in the course of its routine activities; or the second
point may have been recorded only after a permanent shift of activities
away from the area within which the original point was located. Various
types of movements probably were involved.
Interpretation of the records is difficult because of the paucity of
direct observations on the behavior and movements of skinks under
natural conditions. Often when one is alarmed, it will run as much as 30
feet, in a fairly direct course, to a tree or bush or rock where it can
find refuge. Undisturbed individuals move about slowly and circuitously.
It is difficult to keep one under observation for any length of time
because of the secretive habits causing it to keep under cover, as much
as possible while moving about, and to hide in response to any slight
disturbance.
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