In hatchlings the mortality rate is high. Tails are broken frequently in those that survive, suggesting that the tail may be useful in diverting enemies from the lizard itself. Among 121 young of the smallest sizes, (snout-vent lengths in the range of 23 to 29 mm.) 7.4 percent already had broken tails (not including, of course, those in which the tails were broken while the skinks were being captured). In slightly larger young, those in the 30-34 mm. range, perhaps averaging one month old, nearly one-fourth had lost their original tails. In those in the 35-55 mm. size class, mostly one to three months old, about half have already lost parts of their original tails. In those that are in the size group 65-69 mm. normally attained at an age of a year, approximately three-fourths have regenerated tails, and in adults the proportion with unbroken tails is even smaller--down to 16.5 percent in females of more than 75 mm. snout-vent length. In adults the incidence of broken and regenerated tails is slightly higher in females than in males. Defense of nests and sluggishness in the females during the time that they are excavating the nest burrows and guarding their eggs may result in their tails being broken more frequently. Tree-climbing is a common means of escape and it is curious that many of those who have described the habits of _E. fasciatus_ have either failed to note it at all or have minimized arboreal habits. Taylor (1936:59) cited two instances of tree-climbing but stated: "Only rarely is this form seen in trees, at least in the western part of its range." Conant (1951:30) stated: "They seldom climb trees, contrary to the habit of _laticeps_ and _inexpectatus_." Hudson (1942:42) mentioned seeing an adult that escaped by climbing the side of a hollow tree in southeastern Nebraska.