Influence of substrate water content on neonate size in the prairie skink, Eumeces septentrionalis

The microenvironment of the nest surrounding most reptilian eggs is known to have a strong influence on the growth and development of embryos. This is particularly true of substrate moisture content. The results of this study suggest that neonatal body size (SVL) increases with increasing substrate wetness in the prairie skink, Eumeces septentrionalis . These results agree with studies conducted on other species of reptiles. This study is the first to provide evidence for this relationship in a scineid lizard.