Birth of a Lizard Photos Photo Gallery by lejun at pbase.com

Birth of a Lizard Photos

This set of photos is a chronological visual account of the hatching of several juvenile five-lined skinks (Eumeces fasciatus)over a two hour period. In the first few photos, the female is tending her hatching eggs and the later photos depict two skinks emerging from their eggs. The eggs are about 3/8" in length and have a leathery texture. The hatchlings are about 1.3" in length. Please view the photos at the original size for best results.

Five-lined Skink				A closer view of the eggs
First "hatchling"			Free at last!	Hatchling two
Struggling to push out		Two legs out!	Further progress
Almost out		Free at last!	Looking around a bit	Time for a rest!
Five-lined Skink	Successful jump on me		Another rest!	Further exploration
		Back to habitat

comment

Ann Pettigrew		30-Mar-2014 02:38
I just saw this gallery for the first time and what an amazing series! Thank you so much for posting these as I have never seen such a cool event in the wild! Excellent work!

lejun		08-Jul-2009 13:19
Hi Nathaniel: For any given egg, the hatchling was completely free of the egg within an hour. I watched several of the eggs hatch over a period of about 6 hours. Thanks for your interest.

Debbie		01-Jul-2008 20:29
I just finished planting some flowers under a front yard lamp post and turned up what looked like 5 little tiny chicken eggs. They were very small, leathery, and slightly speckled. I had no idea what they were until I saw a momma five-lined skink dart around in the rockery. I planted the flowers but cautiously put the eggs right back where I found them. I only hope that I didn't hurt them in any way and that momma can get back to them again. Your photos helped me positively identify the eggs. Great pictures.

Inga Morozoff		17-May-2008 12:51
Terrific series! Thanks for sharing!

lejun		21-Jun-2006 12:53
Chris, sorry I cannot help you regarding hatching of skink eggs. Suggest you contact one of the universities such as the University of Illinois athttp://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/eu_fasciat.html

chris drake		21-Jun-2006 01:29
hey there i was just wondering if u could tell me how to hatch broad head skink eggs.i found some in a bucket that i had in my back yard.i am pretty good at hatching snake eggs but yet have i hatched skink eggs.do i do it the same way or do you keep them dry and cool . i took some of the dirt that i had in the bucket and put it in a butter dish and put it in my reptile room wich stays at about 75/85 degrees is this suficient enough to hatch them properly? thanks you for all your help chris

lejun		16-May-2005 02:21
I wish these skinks did imprint like higher species......I could have used more time with them.

Bob B.		16-May-2005 02:02
WOW! Great shots; great sequence! The question is, do five-lined skinks imprint and are you Momma now?! Very cool!

lejun		13-Apr-2005 00:34
Thanks, Leonard. I agree with you completely. I just feel very fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time!

Leonard Martinez		12-Apr-2005 02:23
I'm just wondering how you happened to come across such a wonderful event. The photos are the crispest I've ever seen. Just can't get over it, I guess.

Leonard Martinez		12-Apr-2005 02:21
Incredible! I love looking at these shots. They chronicle something that most people care nothing about, yet the fragile beauty of the subject inspires awe. Well-done!!!

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