11003-59020 Grand skink (Oligosoma grande) 'eastern form'. A large handsome, fast moving and alert species of the upland tussock grasslands of the eastern South Island. This species is now nationally endangered. Pastoral burning of native vegetation, and heavy predation by mustelids and cats has greatly reduced its range and population. Macraes Flat *
DSC_0004 Grand skink (Oligosoma grande) 'western form' adult basking in the autumn sun. This is the slightly smaller grand skink, with thinner gold stripes and a less patterned tail than the 'eastern form'. Grand skinks are a large handsome, fast moving and alert species of the upland tussock grasslands of the eastern South Island. This species is now nationally endangered. Pastoral burning of native vegetation, and heavy predation by mustelids and cats has greatly reduced its range and population. Central Otago *
DSC_9988 Grand skink (Oligosoma grande) 'western form' adult basking in the autumn sun. This is the slightly smaller grand skink, with thinner gold stripes and a less patterned tail than the 'eastern form'. Grand skinks are a large handsome, fast moving and alert species of the upland tussock grasslands of the eastern South Island. This species is now nationally endangered. Pastoral burning of native vegetation, and heavy predation by mustelids and cats has greatly reduced its range and population. Central Otago *
