Common New Zealand Skink
Oligosoma polychroma
Silhouette: David Orr · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyScincidae (Skinks)
- GenusOligosoma (New Zealand skinks)
- SpeciesOligosoma polychroma (Common New Zealand Skink)
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 →
Recent sightings of Common New Zealand Skink in Fiordland National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Fiordland National Park
Cryptic Skink
Oligosoma inconspicuum
Eyres skink
Oligosoma repens
McCann’s Skink
Oligosoma maccanni
Green Skink
Oligosoma chloronoton
Barrier skink
Oligosoma judgei
Awakopaka Skink
Oligosoma awakopaka
Sinbad skink
Oligosoma pikitanga
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 | |
| 2 | Aoraki Mount Cook National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 4 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 5 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 6 | Tongariro National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common New Zealand Skink in Fiordland National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Common New Zealand Skink sighting in Fiordland National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common New Zealand Skink in Fiordland National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Common New Zealand Skink in Fiordland National Park in our monthly data.