Florida Keys mole skink
Plestiodon egregius egregius
Overall vulnerability:
Conservation status:
State ThreatenedGeneral Information
This small brown skink is native to the Florida Keys as its name implies. The Florida Keys mole skink is a secretive creature and little is known about its life history or reproduction. These lizards rely on a diet of small insects and arthropods found within their coastal habitat. Nesting season occurs in the spring when females lay clutches of 3-5 eggs in underground nests.
Habitat Requirements
The Florida Keys mole skink inhabits sandy shoreline areas throughout on the islands it has colonized, preferring to seek shelter under rocks, sand and tidal debris.
Habitats:
Habitat area:
- 8,019 hectares within Florida (modeled)
- 2,510 hectares (31%) is located on public lands
Habitat impacted by up to 3 meters sea level rise:
Climate Impacts
The Florida Keys mole skink is highly vulnerable to sea level rise. The lizard’s narrow distribution will make it a challenge for the Florida Keys mole skink to adapt to increasingly harsh island conditions. Sea level rise, coastal erosion and increasingly strong or frequent storm events are likely to be a concern for this species.
More information about general climate impacts to species in Florida.
Vulnerability Assessment(s)
The overall vulnerability level was based on the following assessment(s):
Standardized Index of Vulnerability and Value Assessment
Vulnerability: Moderately vulnerableThe primary factors contributing to vulnerability of the Florida Keys mole skink are sea level rise, erosion, presence of barriers, and habitat fragmentation.
Adaptation Strategies
- Develop climate smart practices for beach and coastal management including the use of living shorelines as opposed to hard-armoring for coastal protection wherever possible.
- Protect coastal land through fee-simple or easement acquisition of areas serving as natural storm buffers.
- Like many species endemic to the Florida Keys, this species is extremely vulnerable to long-term sea level rise. As such, development of a captive breeding program may be a necessary long-term adaptation strategy.