Skinks, like other reptiles, do not truly hibernate in the way mammals do. Instead, they enter a similar but distinct state of inactivity and metabolic slowdown known as brumation. This process allows them to conserve energy and endure periods when external conditions become unfavorable, particularly during colder months when food sources are scarce.
The Nature of Cold-Blooded Survival
Skinks are ectothermic organisms, meaning their body temperature is primarily regulated by external heat sources. A skink’s metabolic rate and activity levels are directly tied to the surrounding environmental temperatures. As temperatures drop, skinks become less active, and their bodily functions slow down. Consequently, a specific survival strategy is necessary for skinks to endure the winter months, when their usual behaviors of foraging and basking are not possible.
Brumation: A Reptilian Winter Strategy
Brumation is a natural process for many reptiles, differing significantly from the hibernation observed in mammals. During brumation, skinks are not in a deep, continuous sleep. Instead, they enter a state of reduced activity and metabolism, though they may occasionally move or even emerge. Their heart rate slows, respiration decreases, and appetite significantly diminishes.
Skinks rely on stored fat reserves to sustain themselves throughout this period. Unlike true hibernators, skinks in brumation might emerge on warmer winter days to drink water. Before entering brumation, skinks cease eating to ensure their digestive tracts are empty, as undigested food could rot in their gut at lower metabolic rates. The duration of brumation varies by species and climate, ranging from a few weeks to several months, with some species brumating for up to eight months in colder regions.
Skink Winter Hideaways
As colder weather approaches, skinks seek out specific locations to undergo brumation. They prefer sheltered, stable environments that offer protection from extreme cold, fluctuating temperatures, and predators. These hideaways are crucial for maintaining a relatively consistent temperature, preventing the skinks from freezing.
Common brumation sites include underground burrows, which some skinks can dig up to 18 inches deep, or even up to six feet for larger species. They also utilize rock crevices, spaces under logs, thick leaf litter, or sometimes even the foundations of buildings. Skinks may brumate individually or in small groups, sharing these protected spaces.
Emerging from Winter Slumber
When winter concludes and environmental temperatures begin their sustained rise, skinks gradually emerge from their brumation sites. This emergence is a slow transition, prompted by the warming climate and increasing daylight hours. Upon emergence, their initial behaviors focus on thermoregulation and rehydration.
Skinks will seek out sunny spots to bask, absorbing warmth to raise their body temperature and re-energize. After rehydrating, they will begin to search for food to replenish their energy reserves and eventually seek out mates. It can take a couple of weeks for a skink’s appetite to return to normal after emerging.