They are primarily terrestrial, but will climb dead trees to find insects. They hibernate singly or in small groups from October through mid-March in decaying logs, under large rocks or underground, below the frost line. The five-lined skink is the only lizard found in New England, even though there are about 3,000 different species of lizards worldwide. Lizards are not salamanders. They generally have scales covering their bodies, claws on their feet, and external ear openings.
Salamanders have smooth, moist skin, no claws, and no ear openings.
When grasped by a predator, both adult and juvenile skinks will readily lose most of their tails. The detached tail thrashes on the ground to distract the predator, generally allowing the lizard to escape. The five-lined skink will grow a new tail that is somewhat shorter than the original and somewhat gray in coloration. State - Connecticut General Statutes Sec. Report any possible sightings of these lizards to the DEP Wildlife Division.