Temperature Regulation: During the spring, much of Ontario is too cold for these skinks to survive. To combat this, skinks found within the Canadian Shield live on and around rock barrens. During the breeding season (May and June) when temperatures are less than desirable for the five-lined skink, these animals will congregate under rocks on slopes facing east and south. This way the rocks warm up in the morning sun and can retain these temperatures throughout the day. These cold temperature during the breeding season cause polygamist behaviours where females will often breed with a variety of different males during the season due to their close proximity. This behaviour is much more prevent In the Canadian Shield population than those further south.
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Traditional Ecological Knowledge: This juvenile five-lined skink, or 𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘸𝘦 in Ojibwa, was found on the traditional territory of the Misi-zaagiing Anishinaabe, within the boundaries of Treaty 20. Skinks, along with snakes are often seen as negative or malevolent characters in stories and teachings. Because of this, stories involving them are often told after the first snowfall when they are asleep and can’t overhear (Swan, 2019). Most stories are traditionally told over winter as both a source of entertainment and as a way of sharing knowledge to members of the community. This is done in winter as the warmer months are instead spent ensuring there is enough resources such as traditional foods for the winter (Kramer, 2019).
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Sources:
"Five-Lined Skink." Ontario Nature, 2021, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/five-lined-skink/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2021. Hardcastle, Alannah. "Trent University PhD Candidate Josh Feltham Studies Ontario's only Lizard." Random Acts of Green, 19 June 2018, raog.ca/2018/06/19/trent-university-phd-graduate-dr-feltham-studies-ontarios-only-lizard/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2021. Johnson, Marie T. "Ojibwe Tales that can Only be Told When There's Snow on the Ground." Detroit Lakes Tribune, 14 Dec. 2019, www.dl-online.com/lifestyle/family/4816975-Ojibwe-tales-that-can-only-be-told-when-there%E2%80%99s-snow-on-the-ground. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. |