*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: Only the Southern Coal Skink, Plestiodon anthracinus pluvialis, occurs within Louisiana.
Description:
Similar Species:
Species Range:
Louisiana Range: The Florida Parishes, west-central and northern Louisiana, but absent from the Mississippi RIver floodplain.
Habitat:
Natural History:
Best Time and Place to Observe:
Global Conservation Status: Coal Skinks are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None
Louisiana Conservation Status: Coal Skinks have a ranking of S2 (imperiled because of rarity – 6-20 known extant populations) in Louisiana.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: I saw my first and only Coal Skink in Louisiana in early 2016. I have only ever found a few individuals before this, all in southern Missouri.
