Happy Mother's Day!
- osstewardship
- May 10
- 1 min read
Shout out to all the mothers out there, both human and wildlife! This includes our local Western skink mothers.
These females are highly protective of their nests and eggs until they hatch. The females will periodically leave their nest to bask in the sun so they can go back and heat up their eggs. They have also been seen fixing their nests and rotating their eggs for optimal development. They usually lay between 2-6 eggs, and it takes about one month for them to hatch. That's one month of being alert and constantly on the lookout for predators!
Once the young hatch, it does not take long for the young to disperse, however, mom is doing all she can to protect them before that happens. While their parental care might not seem up to par based on human standards, they are doing quite a bit for lizards. Like most mothers, they are just doing their best to allow their babies to succeed.
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This article highlights the remarkable behaviors of Western skink mothers, showcasing the depth of their protective instincts. The comparison to human standards, particularly in how we perceive nurturing, raises interesting questions about the nature of parental care across species. It prompts reflection on how we value such behaviors, akin to the thrill of chance Vegas Now where outcomes are uncertain yet compelling.