The Western Skink, the only skink species that lives in BC, has a long, slender body and pointed head, and is covered with shiny smooth, round scales. The back is brown and there are two yellowish stripes on the side separated by a black stripe. The tails of juveniles are bright blue, which fades as animals age. The Western Skink prefers the cover of logs, rocks, and leaf litter where it feeds on small invertebrates. Eggs are laid in flask-shaped depression under logs or rocks.
A triangular head, vertical pupils and rattle on the tail are characteristic features of the only venomous snake in British Columbia. Rattlers feed on small animals such as mice, squirrels and rabbits, and hibernate in rocky areas during the winter. They only rattle when disturbed. The western rattlesnake is a red-listed species at risk.
Want to find out about species at risk in rocky talus slopes and rock outcrops?Go to Species at Risk
Here are some more representative species in rocky talus slopes and rock outcrops:Common Terrestrial Garter Snake Pacific Chorus FrogRacerWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeRed:Great Basin Gopher SnakeNight Snake
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