Common Name:

 Northern Coal Skink
Scientific Name:
Plestiodon anthracinus anthracinus (Northern Coal Skink) formerly Eumeces anthracinus
Etymology:
Genus:

Plestiodon is derived from the Greek eu meaning "good" and mekos meaning "length", referring to the long tail of the skink.
Species:
anthracinus is derived from the Greek word anthraco meaning "coal", and the Latin suffix inus meaning "pertaining to", referring to the coal like color on the sides of this skink.
 Subspecies:
anthracinus is derived from the Greek word anthraco meaning "coal", and the Latin suffix inus meaning "pertaining to", referring to the coal like color on the sides of this skink.
Average Length:
5 - 7 in. (12.5 - 17.8 cm)
Virginia Record Length: 
5.6 in. (14.3 cm)
Record length:

 

Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service: Species Booklet

Photos:

*Click on a thumbnail for a larger version.