Common Five-lined Skink vs Shingleback lizard
How does the Common Five-lined Skink compare to the Shingleback lizard? They are both members of the Scincidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.


Side-by-side comparison
- Scientific name
- Plestiodon fasciatus
- Tiliqua rugosa
- Classification
- Reptile
- Reptile
- Family
- Scincidae
- Scincidae
- Habitat
- Temperate forests and woodland edges
- Arid and semi-arid shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Omnivore
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Least Concern
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years
- 10-20 years
- Weight
- 8-18 grams
- 600–900 grams
Common Five-lined Skink vs Shingleback lizard: who would win?

Common Five-lined Skink
8-18 grams

Shingleback lizard
600–900 grams
Shingleback lizard wins high confidence
Shingleback lizard is substantially heavier (600–900 grams vs 8-18 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
Similarities
- Both are reptiles.
- Both belong to the Scincidae family.
- Both are listed as Least Concern.
Differences
- Habitat: Temperate forests and woodland edges vs Arid and semi-arid shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands.
- Diet: carnivore vs omnivore.
- Weight: 8-18 grams vs 600–900 grams.
Common Five-lined Skink vs Shingleback lizard: FAQ
Who would win in a fight, a Common Five-lined Skink or a Shingleback lizard?
Shingleback lizard wins. Shingleback lizard is substantially heavier (600–900 grams vs 8-18 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
What is the difference between a Common Five-lined Skink and a Shingleback lizard?
Common Five-lined Skink and Shingleback lizard differ in several ways — habitat: temperate forests and woodland edges vs arid and semi-arid shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands. diet: carnivore vs omnivore. weight: 8-18 grams vs 600–900 grams.
Do Common Five-lined Skink and Shingleback lizard live in the same habitat?
No — Common Five-lined Skink lives in temperate forests and woodland edges, while Shingleback lizard is found in arid and semi-arid shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands.
What do Common Five-lined Skink and Shingleback lizard eat?
Common Five-lined Skink has a carnivore diet, while Shingleback lizard has a omnivore diet.
Which is more endangered, the Common Five-lined Skink or the Shingleback lizard?
Common Five-lined Skink is listed as Least Concern, while Shingleback lizard is listed as Least Concern.
How big are Common Five-lined Skink and Shingleback lizard?
Common Five-lined Skink weighs around 8-18 grams, while Shingleback lizard weighs around 600–900 grams.

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Common Five-lined Skink

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Shingleback lizard







