New Zealand Frogs & Reptiles
Read More519 / 578
11003-90005 Whitaker's skink (Oligosoma whitakeri) photographed on Middle Mercury Island. This endangered nocturnal skink, requires an extremely moist humid environment. It has undergone a massive prehistoric range decline due largely to predation pressure from introduced rats. It is now known from just two small predator free islands, plus a mainland location 500km away. These island skinks prefer to spend much of their time underground. They are often most abundant in areas heavily burrowed by seabirds. Middle Island, Mercury Group *
90005Whitaker's skinkOligosomaCyclodinawhitakerinocturnalmoisthumidenvironmentMiddle IslandMercury Group