Ornate skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ornate skink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oligosoma
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| Species: |
ornata
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| Synonyms | |
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The ornate skink (scientific name: Oligosoma ornata) is a rare type of skink. It is a New Zealand native, meaning it is only found there.
These skinks used to live across much of the North Island and on many smaller islands. These islands include those in the Hauraki Gulf and north of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Sadly, their homes have been destroyed. Also, animals brought by people have hunted them. This has made their numbers much smaller. Now, ornate skinks are found in only a few places. These spots are scattered across the North Island, reaching as far south as Wellington. They also live on the Three Kings Islands, Great Barrier Island, and a few other offshore islands.
Ornate skinks often live alongside other skink species. They commonly share their homes with copper skinks. In some areas, they also live with robust skinks, Mokohinau skinks, McGregor's skinks, and Poor Knights skinks. On Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands, they can be found with marbled skinks. However, ornate skinks are not known to live with Whitaker's skinks.
You can spot an ornate skink by a special mark. Below each eye, they have a white or yellowish "teardrop" shape. This teardrop is outlined with a thin black line.
Protecting the Ornate Skink
In 2012, the Department of Conservation in New Zealand looked at the ornate skink. They officially listed it as At Risk under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
This means the skink's numbers are expected to keep going down. Because of this, the ornate skink is also seen as Conservation Dependant. This means it needs ongoing help and protection to survive in the wild.
