Don Balke: Broadhead Skink

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 2002
Image Size: 6 by 7 inches
Overall Size: 12.5 by 13.5 inches
Medium: Water color on cold press illustration board

At around 3,000 species, there are more lizards in the world than any other type of reptile. Skinks are classed in the separate Scincidae family of lizards and are found on all continents in either dry or tropical climates. Their bodies appear snake-like, but unlike snakes they have legs and can close their eyes. Unlike other lizards, they have smooth scales giving them a shiny, wet look. The largest species in North America is the broadhead (Eumeces laticeps), an impressive 12"-long skink with, as its name implies, a broad skull. The arboreal broadhead ranges from southern New England to the Gulf Coast and as far west as central Kansas. It can be seen racing up a tree trunk or, because it is an ectotherm whose body temperature is regulated by the environment, it can also be found basking in a patch of sunlight on the forest floor. The broadhead forages for insects, spiders, beetles or worms in rotting trees, scrap heaps and debris piles. When confronted it skips up a tree, and if attacked it can leave its confused predator holding a still-squirming tail while the skink escapes to grow another.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 34¢ Broadhead Skink stamp issued April 26, 2002.

Artwork Copyright © 2002 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB16969

US$ Price: $990.00

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