Moko Skink

Fascinating facts about the Moko Skink

• When André Duméril and Gabriel Bibron first described this lizard in 1839, it was named Lygosoma moco; it was later placed in the genus Leiolopisma and then reinstated to Oligosoma in 1995.
• At just 81 mm (3.2 in) from snout to vent, its tail can exceed half its total length.
• The species is found from North Cape to the Bay of Plenty in the northeastern North Island and on numerous offshore islands.
• In 2015, skinks were released into the Rotoroa Island sanctuary.
• Females give birth to live young, with litters of two to six born between February and March.

At a glance

About the Moko Skink

The moko skink (Oligosoma moco) flashes across New Zealand’s northeastern coast in a coat of coppery-olive brown, often streaked with a crisp dark stripe edged in cream or white. At just 81 mm snout-vent length, its most striking feature is the disproportionately long tail, which can exceed half its total length, and its unusually elongated toes that grip the slick surfaces of rocks and clay banks. Though coloration varies, some individuals turn almost black, the species is instantly recognizable by the clean, even-edged side stripe that runs from head to hind-limb, a pattern that fades into the pale borders above and below. When the sun climbs, these diurnal lizards emerge from under logs and stones to bask on warm rocks, their keen eyes scanning the shoreline for the tiny insects, spiders and other invertebrates that constitute their diet. They are equally comfortable darting across open beach sand or navigating the crevices of rocky outcrops, a behavior that reflects their adaptability to both vegetated edges and stark coastal terrain. A surprising trait of the moko skink is its viviparity; unlike most reptiles, it gives birth to live young, litter sizes range from two to six, timed to the late summer months of February and March, ensuring the hatchlings arrive when prey is abundant. This reproductive strategy, coupled with their agile morphology, allows them to thrive in the dynamic, often harsh environments of New Zealand’s North Island, from the headlands of North Cape down to the Bay of Pleasant, and on the myriad islands that dot the eastern seaboard.

More reptiles to discover

Browse Feravox