Page 17 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

CONNECT TO NATURE WITH

THESE WILD WORDLES PETER PAPLANUS CC BY 2.0

Broad-headed skink.
S K I N K

noun [SKINK]: any of a family (Scincidae) of typically small insectivorous lizards with long tapering bodies.
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.

Oklahoma’s wildlife often comes with wild stories! When faced down by a potential predator, a group of lizards known as
skinks may rely on a drastic survival tactic — voluntary tail amputation. To create a distraction and open an escape route,
the lizard can separate its tail from the body at distinct planes within the vertebrae and muscles. The tail can eventually be
regrown, but the stunt comes with costs. The lizard loses important fat reserves and may be more vulnerable to another
predation attempt.
Learn more about Oklahoma’s incredible lizards in “A Field Guide to Oklahoma’s Amphibians and Reptiles,” available in our
Go Outdoors Oklahoma shop.

TERRY BRUNHOLTZ V I X E N

noun [VIK] + [SUHN]: a female fox. Merriam-
Webster.com Dictionary.

Oklahoma’s wildlife may be known by multi-
ple names. A group of red fox, formally known
as Vulpes vulpes, may be called an earth, leash,
or skulk, while the pups are often called kits,
adult males are called dogs, and females are
known as vixens.
Whatever you chose to call them, foxes and
other wildlife spotted in Outdoor Oklahoma
can make for great memories, and great
television! Check out a clip of red fox fisti-
cuffs, then follow the Wildlife Department’s
Outdoor Oklahoma YouTube channel for more
A female red fox. wild videos.

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