Description: The mountain skink is a medium-sized skink reaching a maximum length from snout to vent of about 3.0 inches. Its body is olive to brown in color, with black stripes on the sides. On the head, it features a distinctive, roughly Y-shaped light line pattern, which gave rise to its scientific name: callicephalus is Greek and means "beautiful head". Like many other Plestiodon, juvenile mountain skinks have a bright blue tail. However, contrary to most other species of this genus, adults retain this color, although it does fade a little with age.

Habitat: The mountain skink is found in a wide variety of habitat, ranging from sea level to nearly 6,560 feet. It prefers areas with abundant and well-rotted leaf litter, providing cover and places for laying eggs.

Range: The mountain skink occurs from southeastern Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico southward to Nayarit and Jalisco in Mexico. In the U.S., the species is very localized. In New Mexico, mountain skinks are found only in the southern Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County) of southwest Hidalgo County. It is known only from Geronimo Trail and Guadalupe Canyon, where it is uncommon in its limited habitat. In Arizona, the mountain skink occurs in the Coronado National Forest.

Found in these States: AZ | NM

Diet: Eats insects and spiders.

Reproduction: Eggs are laid under rocks and in similar sites and are attended by the female until after hatching (Tanner 1987) (live birth also reported).

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. In New Mexico, the species is classified as "critically impaired".

Taxonomy: