Are skinks poisonous to humans? Does skink turn to snake? Does skink suck blood?
DO SKINKS ACTUALLY SUCK YOUR BLOOD?
They’re found all over the world, except the Antarctica. They’re known as aláyọ̀ọ́ńbẹ́rẹ́ or alásùnbẹ́rẹ́ in Yorùbá. Growing up, we were told that they turn to snakes when they become fully grown. Not only that, we were told that just by looking at you, they suck your blood and that gives them the reddish colour.
Whenever we see them, we were told to chant
“Aláyọ̀ọ́ńbẹ́rẹ́ mo rí ẹ… Mo rí ẹ, mo rí ẹ, mo rí ẹ. Kóo tó dejò mo ti dabẹ́rẹ́. Ẹ̀jẹ̀ mi korò bí omi ewúro”
Meaning: Oh skink, I’ve seen you. Before you turn to a snake, I’ve turned to a needle. My blood is bitter like bitter leaf juice.
NOW, THE FACTS!
Skinks don’t suck blood. They’re not even venomous. They’re just lizards who look different. And no, they don’t turn to snakes. Many of them can shed and regrow their tails like geckos.
They’re diurnal, which means they come out during the day and rest at night. They eat insects mostly.
They live for 2-3 years and they’re not dangerous.
Funny how we are told to get rid of them because they are dangerous. Meanwhile, in Canada, they are protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 ( ESA ). They did this when they saw that their skink population is dwindling.
