by Donna Lewis
Just the other day, I was in my garden and leaned against an oak tree with my hand. Something heavy and wet then scooted across my hand. Boy, I pulled my hand back just in time to see the biggest lizard looking thing I ever saw in my garden!
After I composed myself, I looked a little closer to the beast. It was the biggest skink I ever came across. It climbed up to the higher parts of the tree and ducked inside a hole.
It turned out to be a Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps). This fellow likes dead trees usually near a forest environment. That makes another good use for a snag (dead tree).
This skink eats insects and other small lizards. I was glad to discover that humans were not on the list.
It was pretty neat seeing it. Keep your eyes open, and maybe you’ll see one, too.
Nature has amazing creatures everywhere. You just need to look.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 