Family Scincidae is a group of lizards that is widely distributed across the globe. They are commonly known as skinks and are characterized by their smooth and shiny scales, elongated bodies, and powerful legs. Skinks are arboreal or terrestrial and have developed unique adaptations such as a prehensile tail and the ability to shed their tail as a defense mechanism. Some synonyms for the Family Scincidae include skink family, skink lizard family, and scincid family. These terms refer to the same group of lizards and are used interchangeably. Skinks are typically found in warm and tropical regions and play important roles in their ecosystems as both predators and prey.