Otago skink

The Otago skink is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Survival of 5 grand and 2 Otago skink populations was monitored for 3 years before and 3 years during intensive predator control, targeting feral cats but also culling ferrets. In addition, 1 Otago and 2 grand skink populations served as controls. More

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. More

Overview The Otago skink, Oligosoma otagense, is an endangered speciesEndangered speciesAn endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. More

the Otago skink is a long and slender reptile. Its scaly body is yellow or greenish on the upperparts, pale grey on the underside, and mottled all over with darker patches. More

Over the last 25 years, the Otago skink has declined in both numbers and range, and as these worrying declines continue (2), this endemic reptile is now considered to be Vulnerable to extinction (1). More

grand and Otago skinks here at Wellington Zoo. The programme will protect the skinks’ genetic diversity and be a backup if these vulnerable creatures ever suffer a catastrophic event in the wild. More

A project to reintroduce the Otago skink to the Alexandra Basin - Two Otagos The Central Otago Ecological Trust has established a community-led conservation project to: * Reintroduce fauna that has been lost from the Alexandra basin More

over the range of several grand and Otago skink populations was not associated with any positive responses in the skinks. Stoats, weasels, ship and Norway rats, mice and hedgehogs all exist in the system and are either known or suspected predators of skinks. More

Grand and Otago skinks are two of New Zealand's most distinctive and impressive lizards. Known as giant skinks, they are our largest lizards, with Otago skinks growing up to 300mm in length and grand skinks 230mm. More

the Otago skink's western population, which has a different genetic makeup. Juvenile Otago skinks. Photo J Reardon. More

You can order this Otago skink image as a high quality photographic print for personal use. You can email a link to a friend or client to check this image out also. More

The Otago Skink is one of New Zealand's rarest and largest skinks. They have been decimated by predators and are predicted to be extinct in the wild by 2012. They are reduced to 8% of their former range. More

The Otago Skink is listed as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation and it's survival is now dependant upon conservation efforts. Here at Willowbank we hold two adult males and one breeding pair. More

East Otago skink country is familiar to most New Zealanders even if they've never been here, the yellow, tussock-covered hills the stuff of paintings and poetry, postcards and television pictures. More

A major outcome of the grand and Otago skink recovery programme was that the possibility now existed for their threat classification to be revised downwards - from nationally critically endangered to nationally endangered - within about a decade, Ms Chadwick said. More

Otago skink sub-adults in the Macraes Flat area. Photo by James Reardon. Otago skink sub-adults in the Macraes Flat area. Photo by James Reardon. More

The Otago skink is heavy-bodied, and prefers to live on rock tors in sheltered gullies or streamsides. The grand skink is slim and prefers to live on tors on ridge tops. The ecology of the skinks is still being understood and research is underway. More

Four captive Otago skinks bred in the North Island and relocated to new facilities in Alexandra have succumbed to the unusually severe winter conditions. Although their loss is a blow, vital lessons have been learnt for the future conservation of the species. More

On Saturday, 12 captive-bred Otago skinks were released into a predator-proof enclosure at the Aldinga Conservation Area near Alexandra. The Central Otago Ecological Trust in partnership with the Department of Conservation spent four years on the project. More

The rare Otago skink and grand skink – both of which can grow to 30 centimetres in length – are unique to Central Otago. They live in mountain tussocklands, but occupy only one-tenth of their original range. More

baby Otago skink will enrich the genetic viability of the country’s captive skink population. “Our skink can be introduced into other breeding populations once it is of reproductive age and so share its genes around New Zealand,” Katja says. More

Otago skink clip art, public domain image Otago skink WPClipart > animals > L > lizard Home Browse Right-Click on the image below choose "Save image as . . . More

Common names

Otago skink in English - English