Skinks

The Alborn skink was discovered in the 1990s and has been rarely detected since.

The alpine rock skink was first discovered in 2018.

Awakopaka skink was first discovered in 2014. For years it was not seen again but was finally found in 2019. It is still only known from less than 20 individuals at one small location.

The Barrier skink is known only from alpine habitats at three sites in the south-western South Island.

Whole populations of this threatened skink have been lost since the 1980s.

The chevron skink is one of New Zealand's rarest and most secretive lizards.

Cobble skinks were discovered in 2007 at a tiny beach near Westport.

A number of lizards are known only from a handful of records. The threat status for many of these species cannot be assessed because so little is understood about them.

Grand and Otago skinks are two of New Zealand's most impressive and distinctive lizards, and grow as long as 300 mm. Both species are unique to Otago,and are two of New Zealand's rarest reptiles.

This species of skink is confined to a narrow strip of coastal habitat. It used to be known as the Chesterfield skink.

Northern grass skink are avid baskers, and abundant in coastal areas.

The ornate skink is in gradual decline, and needs our help to protect it.

Oteake skink was first discovered in 2012 and is only known from two populations in Oteake Conservation Park, north Otago.

The Rockhopper skink was first discovered in 2018. They quickly jump or ‘hop’ off (or over) rocks when disturbed, a trait which is not seen in the other skink species within its distributional range.

The rare Sinbad skink is found only in an alpine habitat in Fiordland.

The distinctively marked striped skink is one of New Zealand's least known and rarely seen lizards.

Te Kakahu/Chalky Island skink is known to only live in one small area in Chalky Inlet, Fiordland.

Whirinaki skink are found in a small area at Bream Head.

This rare species was discovered in 2004 already in a critical state.