Facts about chevron skink

Chevron skink - close up of head.
Great Barrier Island

What is it?

The chevron skink is one of New Zealand's rarest lizards. It is listed internationally as 'nationally endangered'.  Less than 250 sightings have been reported since it was first described in 1906 and because of this, very little is known about where it lives or its way of life.

Chevron skink belongs to the genus Oligosoma (formerly Leiolopisma) members of which are only found in New Zealand. Its scientific name is Oligosoma homalonotum.

The species name homalonotum means smooth backed. The very distinctive v shaped markings on the back of the chevron skink give it its common name.  

• They are New Zealand's longest lizard, measuring up to 30cm from the nose to the tip of the tail.
• Dark bands extend down the face of the chevron skink from below the eye to just under the lower lip. Between these two bands is a distinctive pale coloured "teardrop" shape.
• Chevron skinks are capable of making noises and will often grunt or squeak on being disturbed.
• Female chevron skinks give birth to live young in mid to late summer, and can have up to 8 at once. It is not known if chevron skinks breed every year.
• Most sightings of chevron skinks have been in close proximity to streams or other damp places. This has been due to their susceptibility to dehydration.

Lost for over 60 years

First scientifically described in 1906, the chevron skink was only reported twice more until the 1970s. It had essentially been "lost" for over 60 years. This was partly due to a mix up of museum labels that gave its locality as Flat Island in the Mokohinau Islands group. The label should have read Great Barrier Island.

Until the early 1990s the chevron skink was thought to survive only on Great Barrier Island.

Then in 1991 a single sub-adult chevron skink was discovered on neighbouring Little Barrier Island. Despite intensive surveys since then, no other chevron skink have been found on the island.

On Great Barrier they have now been recorded in over 20 locations. Historical records suggest that they may have occurred on the mainland in the past.

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