### Identification The African Striped Skink is a sleek, medium-sized lizard, typically reaching 15–20 cm in length. Its body is a shimmering bronze or olive-brown, characterized by two bold, cream-to-yellow longitudinal stripes that run from the eye, over the shoulder, and down to the base of the tail. Unlike the similar *Trachylepis varia* (Variable Skink), which often features a pale stripe down the center of its back, *T. striata* lacks this vertebral line. Look for smooth, overlapping scales that give it a polished, metallic sheen. In breeding season, males may develop a subtle orange or reddish flush on the throat.
### Habitat & Range Widely distributed across East and Southern Africa, this skink is a master of adaptation. While it naturally frequents savannas, rocky outcrops, and woodland edges, it has become the quintessential "garden skink." You will frequently spot them on vertical surfaces—brick walls, fence posts, and thatched roofs—where they exploit the warmth of human structures. They are generally found at elevations from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
### Behaviour These are bold, diurnal sun-worshippers. An observer will likely see them basking on a sun-drenched rock or wall, though they remain hyper-alert; at the slightest shadow, they vanish into a crevice with surprising speed. They are remarkably social for lizards, often found in small "colonies" around prime basking spots. Unlike many reptiles that lay eggs, this species is viviparous, giving birth to 3–9 fully formed, independent young.
### Diet An opportunistic generalist, the Striped Skink is a fast-moving predator. Its diet consists primarily of insects—crickets, moths, and flies—which it snatches with a sudden, lateral lunge. They are also known to scavenge around outdoor dining areas for fallen crumbs or even lap up sweet nectar from flowers.
### Fascinating Fact While many lizards can drop their tails to escape predators, the African Striped Skink is a "live-bearer." Instead of leaving eggs vulnerable to predators in the soil, the female gestates them internally, providing the young with a much higher survival rate in the harsh African bush!