Otago skink

Otago skink
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Oligosoma
Species:	O. otagense
Binomial name
Oligosoma otagense McCann, 1955

The Otago skink, Oligosoma otagense, is an endangered species of large skink of the family Scincidae, found in the central Otago region of New Zealand.

Physical characteristics

Otago skinks are large compared to other New Zealand skinks, capable of growing to lengths up to 12 inches (31 cm). They are marked with distinctive black, yellow, and green spots, which provides excellent camouflage in their rocky habitat of lichen-covered rocks and schist outcrops. Like most skinks, Otago skinks are omnivores and feed on a wide variety of insects and fleshy fruits. They are long lived (up to 15 years), slow to mature (3 to 4 years), and give birth to 3 or 4 live and independent young in January to March each year.

Habitat

Basking Otago skink Oligosoma otagense

Otago skinks are only found in very specific locations in Otago, and are typically limited to the large schist rock outcroppings found in that region. They can often be seen sunning themselves on these rocks and seek refuge in the deep crevices when alarmed, at night and on cold days. As of 2000, the range of the Otago skink has decreased by roughly 90% when compared to the estimated historic range. Although it was once widespread, land use change, particularly the intensification of farming, and the introduction of mammalian predators has led to a decline in the population. The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) estimates that there are only 2,000 - 5,000 individual Otago skinks remaining and recent work suggests that the skinks are still in decline^{[citation needed]}. Work to identify the causes of decline is ongoing, as are protection efforts through habitat protection, predator-proof fencing and predator control.

References

• Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group (1996). Oligosoma otagense. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU C2a v2.3)
• Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 27, Number 4; pp 439-450.

External links

• Otago skink and grand skink, from the New Zealand Department of Conservation