Common New Zealand Skink

Common New Zealand Skink

Oligosoma polychroma

Silhouette: David Orr · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Abel Tasman National Park
3 Verified sightings at Abel Tasman National Park From 2019 to 2026
40 Verified sightings across all 6 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Common New Zealand Skink

The common skink (Oligosoma polychroma), also known as the northern grass skink, is a species of skink native to New Zealand. Although historically classified as a subspecies of Oligosoma nigriplantare, it is likely to be given separate species status as data suggests it is a distinct species.

The common skink is widespread in New Zealand from Stewart Island to the middle of North Island. In 2012 the Department of Conservation classified the common skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Media related to Oligosoma polychroma at Wikimedia Commons Image of the holotype specimen of the common skink held at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Arthur's Pass National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
~30%
2 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
~20%
3 Fiordland National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
~10%
4 Abel Tasman National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Insufficient data
5 Rakiura National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Insufficient data
6 Tongariro National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Insufficient data
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