Background Great Barrier homepage    An Island Environment Biodiversity Geology and landforms Outer Hauraki Gulf Offshore islands Wetlands   People and the Environment Cats Conservation Meet DoC's Rebecca Stanley European settlements Goats Kauri - a natural resource Maori history Minerals and mining Shipwrecks Weeds and plant pests Whaling   Threatened Species Black petrel pics Black petrel facts Brown teal pics Brown teal facts Chevron skink pics Chevron skink facts Kauri Kereru What is a lizard? Geckos Skinks North Island kaka Endangered plants Updated: September 12, 2001

Skinks All native lizards including the striped skink are fully protected   DoC researchers examine a copper skink from a pitfall trap Most New Zealand skinks are active in the daytime - diurnal. They bask in the sun on warm stones to heat both sides of their bodies. They maintain an even body temperature by moving in and out of the sun so they don't get too hot or too cold. This is called thermoregulation. Skinks are camouflaged so that they are not easily seen in their natural environments. Most are ground dwelling though some live in trees or search for food in shrubs and trees. They look snake-like with their necks merged with their bodies. Skinks have movable eyelids and blink to keep their eyes clean and moist. Skinks move very quickly and can out run their prey to catch it. They eat a variety of insects, fruit, berries and seeds. New Zealand's cool climate means that the pregnant female skinks store their eggs inside their bodies. The young skinks hatch internally and so are born live. What is a lizard? | chevron skink facts | chevron skink pictures | geckos The following table is a summary of information about skinks. Parts of a Skink Features Major Functions Skin     Earthy coloured markings Snake-like overlapping scales Tight and shiny Sloughing off skin in small pieces Camouflage Receive warmth Processing UV light for bone growth Growth Eyes Detecting movement Moveable eyelid Night vision Catching prey Voice Vocal squeaks, chirps, grunts Large range Deter predators Communication Tongue and mouth Long narrow tongue Test the air on tongue Licking nectar Detect food, invaders or other skinks Eating and spreading seeds Tail Longer than their bodies Detaches when caught Re-grows Fat storage Escaping predators Stalking prey Climbing Reproductive organs under base in males Winter food reserves Legs and Feet Paired limbs Long thin toes rounded at tip Moving quickly Climbing Running Swimming Eggs or young     Hatched inside females Live young 2 to 8 in a litter Only Suter's skink lays eggs (3 - 4) Reproduction Warmth for incubation Print friendly page