Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) in Pinery Provincial Park, May 2017. One of my most incredible encounters was spotting this small head poking above a billboard by a bathroom in Pinery Provincial Park. The head belonged to Ontario's only species of Lizard. I believe this individual is an adult Male, because he has lost the stripes of juveniles and also the bright blue colour of his tail. These Skinks, when threatened, can drop their own tail as a distraction for predators (especially effective considering the tail continues to move for several minutes). The tail will grow back, but tail loss isn't without a cost, as the tail contains reserves of fat that will have to be regained. Endangered in Ontario, mostly because it exists in small, isolated populations, this amazing animal was a treat to see! . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #fivelinedskink #plestiodonfasciatus #natureontario #lizard #skink #skinksofinstagram #lizardsofinstagram #ontariosonlylizard #herpsdaily #ontarioreptiles #ontarioherps #pineryprovincialpark #pinerypp #pinerypark #canada_wildlife #natureperfection #lizardphotography #natureinontario #nature_captures #endangeredspecies (at Pinery Provincial Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO5BuZigAOF/?igshid=1fs33o65gqzn9
