Macgregor's skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macgregor's skink |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Oligosoma
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| Species: |
macgregori
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| Synonyms | |
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McGregor's skink (Oligosoma macgregori) is a special type of lizard that lives only in New Zealand. It belongs to the skink family, which is a group of lizards known for their smooth, shiny scales. This skink is quite unique because it's found in only a few specific places.
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About McGregor's Skink
This skink gets its scientific name, macgregori, from a person. It was named to honor a New Zealand zoologist named William Roy McGregor. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals.
Where McGregor's Skink Lives
McGregor's skink is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found naturally nowhere else in the world. You can find Oligosoma macgregori on the Cavalli Islands. It also lives on Mana Island. Sometimes, it is seen on the North Island in the Hauraki Gulf area.
What McGregor's Skink Looks Like
McGregor's skink is a medium-sized lizard. Its body, from its snout to the start of its tail, can grow up to about 112 mm (4.4 in) long. That's about the length of a typical smartphone!
Life Cycle and Reproduction
McGregor's skink is a viviparous species. This means that the mother skink gives birth to live young. Unlike some other lizards that lay eggs, the babies develop inside the mother's body. They are born alive, just like many mammals.
