Lizards - Great Barrier Island

Mokomoko Striped Skink

The distinctively marked striped skink is one of New Zealand’s least known and rarely seen lizards. Image courtesy of Windy Hill Sanctuary Very little is known of its ecology and habits and all sightings and records of this skink can provide valuable clues to help DOC its continued survival. The species is easily recognised by the pale stripes running down Read more…

Mokomoko Ornate Skink

The ornate skink is in gradual decline, and needs our help to protect it. Image courtesy of Windy Hill Sanctuary The ornate skink is a threatened species, classified as being in “Gradual Decline”—populations are declining over several generations. It is thought that the decline in some places on the mainland may be partly offset by increases on predator-free offshore islands. Read more…

Mokomoko Gecko

Geckos have broad heads with large bulging eyes, definite necks, and soft, velvety-looking skin which is covered in very small, granular scales. Images courtesy of Windy Hill Sanctuary There are at least 39 species of gecko in New Zealand. However, only 18 of these have been formally described, and further discoveries of new species are still very likely as we Read more…

Niho Taniwha Chevron Skink

The chevron skink is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most secretive lizards. Image courtesy of Windy Hill Sanctuary It is listed as ‘nationally vulnerable’ under DOC’s Threat Classification System. They are currently only known to be found on Great Barrier Island / Aotea and Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf. There have only been around Read more…