New Zealand Frogs & Reptiles

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 *

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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 *

90005 Whitaker's skink Oligosoma Cyclodina whitakeri nocturnal moist humid environment Middle Island Mercury Group