Western “Blue tailed” Skink sighting at Tahquitz

On a recent climbing trip up to Tahquitz I ran across one of these fellows.  I was surprised at first to see a blue tailed skink in Southern California (even in the mountains) but after doing some research online, it turns out that the western skink can be found in Southern California.  Although it is also known as the Colorado skink, this blue tailed skink keeps its bright blue tail through juvenile stages.

I was sad that I didn’t get a chance to take a pictures (as my camera phone was left at the base of the hill).  None the less it was cool to see such a bright colored reptile in our generally brown hills.