Skinks are a widespread group of lizards found across various global environments. Their diet is predominantly insectivorous, adapting to the available prey in their specific habitats.
What Skinks Primarily Eat
Skinks primarily eat invertebrates. These lizards commonly consume insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and their larvae, including caterpillars. Beyond insects, skinks also frequently feed on spiders, which are abundant in many of their natural environments. Earthworms and slugs are also common dietary staples, especially for skinks inhabiting moist or damp areas where these invertebrates thrive.
Less Common but Important Foods
While invertebrates make up most of their diet, skinks are opportunistic feeders and will consume other items when available. This can include very small vertebrates, such as hatchling lizards or the young of small rodents like mice, particularly for larger skink species. Such prey offers a concentrated source of protein and fat. Skinks also engage in consuming their own shed skin, a behavior known as dermatophagy, which allows them to reclaim valuable nutrients. Plant matter, including berries, soft fruits, or tender vegetation, can also be part of their diet, though typically in smaller quantities. The consumption of plant material often depends on the skink species and the specific resources present in its habitat.
How Diet Varies by Skink Type and Location
The specific diet of a skink is heavily influenced by its species and the geographical location it inhabits. Larger skink species, for example, are capable of preying on a wider range of larger insects and occasional small vertebrates compared to their smaller counterparts. Arboreal skinks, living in trees, may encounter different types of insects than terrestrial skinks that forage on the ground. A skink living in a desert environment will primarily consume arthropods adapted to arid conditions, such as certain beetles or scorpions. Conversely, a skink in a temperate forest might feed on a greater variety of worms, slugs, and forest-dwelling insects. This adaptability ensures skinks can thrive in diverse ecosystems by utilizing locally abundant prey.
How Skinks Hunt and Get Water
Skinks employ various hunting strategies. Many species are active foragers, constantly moving and searching for prey by sight and smell. Others may adopt an ambush approach, waiting patiently for an unsuspecting insect to pass by before striking quickly. Some skinks also dig into loose soil or leaf litter to unearth hidden invertebrates. Water acquisition for skinks in the wild primarily comes from the moisture contained within their food, whether it be juicy insects or succulent plant matter. They also obtain water by drinking dew droplets that accumulate on vegetation or from small puddles after rainfall.