Skink identification

[Lester812]

I live in Indiana, and have my whole life. For the past 4 years, I've lived in Southern Indiana. A couple of months ago we moved to the country, and man, oh man, do we have lizards or skinks (my husband says) EVERYWHERE!! It's strange, because living in Indiana my whole life, I have NEVER seen one of these.
This is the thing... we have more than one kind. I've seen striped ones, plain gray/brown ones, and TODAY..... this one with red on it's throat. My cat captured this skink, and we put him in a jar to identify. The little guy we have looks identical to the pictures we've found on line of the red-throated one. However, when reading about them, it doesn't seem like a red-throated skink should be in Southern Indiana. Everything I can find says they are in the rainforest.... which we are not.
Any clues if this indeed could be a red-throated skink or if I have something different. Also, why do we have so MANY skinks around my house? I'm not a big fan... a little afraid of all critters to be honest. My son LOVES these!
I'll try to attach a picture, to help, but in case it doesn't work... it is grayish brown in color, no stripes, with an orangish/red throat.
Thanks :^)

[jvillereptile]

broad headed skink

[CruiserMaiden]

yea looks like a broad headed skink to me...

[Reptscue]

ditto....

[John_White]

The skink is one of three species found in Indiana. The species cannot be determined by the photos provided. The males of all 3 species have reddish heads & necks during the breeding season.

If the skink has four longitudinal stripes on the dorsum. Two dorsolateral stripes bordering a brownish longitudinal band and a single postmental scale, it is a Coal Skink (Eumeces anthracinus)

If the posteriormost supralabial scale is separated from the temporal scale by at least one, usually two enlarged postlabial scales. There are usually four preorbital supralabial scales on one side. The scales around the tail, 10 scales posterior to the anal plate usually 14 to 16, the skink is a Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus).
If the posteriormost supralabial scale is usually not separated from the temporal scale by enlarged postlabial scales. There are usually five preorbital supralabial scales on one side. The scales around the tail, 10 scales posterior to the anal plate usually 17 to 18, the skink is a Broad-headed Skink (Eumeces laticeps).

[Reptscue]

And here is John to the rescue!!!!

[Lester812]

Thanks everyone for your help. What do these lizards eat? Is it possible to keep it alive as a pet, or would it be best to free him in the morning? My son would like to keep him, but I'm afraid he'll either die or get loose in my house.

Any input?

[John_White]

Skinks feed predominantly on spiders, but will also take crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, harvestmen, and snails.

It's been my experience that native skinks do well in captivity for the short term. Would suggest that you keep it for a day or two and then return it to the wild.

[Anypituophis]

Agreed. My daughters love to catch lizards, with my oldest daughter having her own 7' Boa Constrictor and Pink Toed Tarantula. They will catch these and keep them for a few days and release them. Spiny lizards do much better in captivity if he is wanting a pet.