The African five-lined skink (Mabuya quinquetaeniata), also known as the five-striped mabuya, is a slender, fast-moving lizard found across much of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of North Africa. It is easily recognised by the five pale stripes running lengthwise down its glossy, dark brown to black body, a pattern most vivid in juveniles, which also often display a bright blue tail for predator distraction. Adults typically reach 15–25 cm (6–10 in) in length and may lose some of their striping as they mature, becoming more uniform in colouration. Highly adaptable, this skink inhabits savannas, open woodlands, rocky outcrops, and even human settlements, where it hunts insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Its alert behaviour, speed, and ability to shed its tail when threatened make it a resilient survivor in diverse environments.