Chevron Skink

Chevron skink
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Oligosoma
Species:	O. homalonotum
Binomial name
Oligosoma homalonotum (Boulenger, 1906)

The chevron skink, Oligosoma homalonotum, is a large species of skink endemic to New Zealand.

The specific epithet, "homalonotum", means "smoothed backed".^[1] The common name of the species has its origins in the distinctive chevron markings along its back and tail. The points of these arrow-shaped markings all point towards the head of the animal.^[2]

One of the three biggest species of New Zealand skinks,^[1]the chevron skink can grow to lengths of 30 cm including the tail,^[2] with a SVL (Snout to Vent Length) of 143 mm.^[1]

It is a diurnal species.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "New Zealand Frogs and Reptiles", Brian Gill and Tony Whitaker, David Bateman, 2001
2. ^ ^{a b} "Rare Wildlife of New Zealand", Rod Morris and Alison Ballance, Random House, 2008

• Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group 1996.
• Oligosoma homalonotum.
• 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 July 2007.