If you’re a cat owner wondering if skinks can be harmful to your feline friend, you’ve come to the right place. Read on as we dive into the details surrounding skinks and their potential toxicity to cats.
What Are Skinks?
Skinks are a large and diverse group of lizards belonging to the family Scincidae. There are over 1,500 known skink species worldwide which come in a variety of sizes, colors, and habitats.
Physical Characteristics of Skinks
Skinks are characterized by their long, cylindrical bodies and smooth, glossy scales. They have small legs and tapered tails that they can shed and regrow when needed to elude predators. Skinks range dramatically in size from the tiny dwarf skinks under 50 mm to the Solomon Islands skink which can grow over 60 cm long.
Most skinks have long tongues and insectivorous diets. Their teeth are adapted for grabbing, holding, and swallowing prey whole. Vision varies by species but many skinks have good eyesight and color vision used to hunt food sources.
Skink Species and Habitats
There is great diversity among skink species. Some popular types of skinks include:
- Blue-tongued skinks – Omnivorous Australian skinks with bright blue tongues used to scare off predators. They make docile pets.
- Fence skinks – Common small brown skinks across the southern U.S. that cling to wooden fences.
- Five-lined skinks – Fast black and yellow-striped skinks of eastern North America.
Skinks live on every continent except Antarctica and inhabit a wide range of ecosystems. Terrestrial skinks are found in grasslands, forests, deserts, and urban areas. Some species are semi-aquatic or live in trees. Most skinks are diurnal and spend nights in burrows, crevices, or other hideouts.
| Total skink species | Over 1,500 |
| Size range | 50 mm – 60 cm |
| Diet | Mostly insectivorous |
| Habitats | Nearly all terrestrial and some aquatic/arboreal |
To learn more, visit sites like Britannica or National Geographic.
Are Skinks Poisonous?
When it comes to determining if skinks are poisonous to cats, it helps to first understand a bit about these unique lizards. Skinks make up one of the largest groups of lizards, with over 1,500 known species. They come in an array of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Some key characteristics that set them apart from other lizards include their smooth, shiny scales and long, tapered tails.
Do skinks have venom?
The short answer is no, skinks do not have venom. Unlike venomous snakes that produce toxic venom in modified saliva glands, skinks lack these specialized glands entirely. So cat owners can rest assured that a curious kitty messing with a skink will not end up poisoned.
Toxicity concerns
While skinks themselves are non-venomous, some species have developed fascinating defensive adaptations involving toxicity. For example, the blue-tongued skink is named for its bright blue tongue that it flashes as a warning.
And certain large skink species are capable of squirting an foul-smelling substance from glands near the tail when threatened. So in some cases, skinks may temporarily irritate sensitive areas like the eyes or mouth. But toxicity is not a major concern regarding skinks and cats.
Dangers of Skinks for Cats
Bacterial Infections
Skinks and other lizards carry salmonella bacteria that can be transmitted to cats who hunt or eat them. According to the ASPCA, cats who ingest skinks or other reptiles have a high risk of developing salmonellosis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy.
Salmonella infections can be serious if left untreated with antibiotics and supportive care from a veterinarian.
A 2021 study published in Veterinary Sciences Journal found 17% of sampled Australian skinks tested positive for salmonella. With over 1,500 skink species worldwide, cats face potential exposure. Proper cooking eliminates bacteria risks for humans, but cats hunting live skinks face higher infection chances.
Parasites
Skinks and other lizards frequently carry microscopic parasites like cryptosporidia, pentastomes, tapeworms, and flukes. While some parasite species pose low risk, others can infect cats who eat skinks and cause illness.
According to veterinarian Dr. Jessica Stone, symptoms may include digestive issues, malnutrition, breathing trouble, or skin irritation. Preventative deworming medication can kill some parasites in cats.
- Flukes – Flatworm parasites that infect lungs, intestines, liver, and other organs
- Pentastomes – Crustacean-like parasites that infect respiratory systems
- Tapeworms – Segmented flatworms that absorb nutrients and reside in intestines
A 2013 wildlife study showed 35% of sampled skinks infected with parasitical flatworms. Varied diets and intermediate insect hosts contribute to presentations in lizards. As predators, cats are at high risk of exposure when eating skinks.
Physical Harm from Skink Tails
The reptilian defensive mechanism of tail autonomy allows skinks to detach their tails when grabbed by predators. The writhing detached tail draws the cat’s attention away while the skink flees. While this surprised tactic rarely causes lasting harm, cats have been known to choke on discarded wriggling tails.
Experts recommend monitoring your cat’s condition after contact with skinks to watch for signs of obstruction or distress.
In rare cases, the sharp scales and bones of detached skink tails may also pose risk of oral lacerations or internal puncture wounds if swallowed. According to veterinary research articles, most cats show minimal effects from ingesting small lizard parts, though veterinary care is still advisable for choking concerns or signs of injury.
Preventing Skink Exposure
Keep cats indoors
Keeping cats indoors is the most effective way to prevent skink exposure. Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years longer than outdoor cats. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, indoor cats are not exposed to predators, diseases, parasites, or getting hit by cars.
Some easy ways to keep your cat happy indoors is providing interactive toys, cat trees, scratching posts, and daily playtime. A catio or screened porch is also a great way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely.
Remove skink habitats from your yard
Skinks love hiding spots like wood piles, overgrown vegetation, and rock retaining walls. Reducing these habitats in your yard will help deter skinks. Trim back weeds, bushes, and dense ground cover vegetation.
Eliminate wood piles and replace rock retaining walls with a smoother surface that offers less shelter. Install gravel or mulch around the perimeter of your home’s foundation to eliminate moist hiding areas. Making your yard less hospitable to skinks will reduce risks.
Supervise outdoor time
If you do allow your cat outdoors, supervise them closely. Skinks are most active in the warmer daytime hours when cats like to be outside too. Keep cats confined to supervised outdoor enclosures or take them out on a leash and harness. This will allow you to monitor their interactions and behaviors.
If you see your cat chasing or mouthing a skink, immediately bring them indoors. Teach your cat the “leave it” command so you can quickly redirect their focus if they encounter a skink. Staying close by is key to preventing skink attacks.
Conclusion
While skinks themselves are not poisonous, they can potentially transmit harmful bacteria, parasites, and cause physical harm if a cat tries to attack them. By keeping your cat indoors and modifying your yard to deter skinks, you can protect your feline friend.
