Facts about striped skink

Striped skink on Little Barrier Island 

Mysterious reptile

The distinctively marked striped skink is one of New Zealand's least known and rarely seen lizards. The species is easily recognised by the pale stripes running down the length of its body, and makes for an eye-catching sight with its lightening quick movements.

The striped skink has carries a 'Category A' priority for conservation action under the Department of Conservation's species ranking system.
A Recovery Plan is currently in action, and emphasises the need for more monitoring and research. At this stage it is unclear whether the striped skink requires management to ensure its survival, or if it is even at risk.

Ecology and habitat

Lifespan: Growth rates and lifespan are unknown, but an adult in captivity has lived for over 20 years.
Diet: They mainly eat insects, but will also eat soft fruit.
Habitat: Striped skinks are found in lowland forest and pastoral farmland.
The striped skink climbs trees more readily than other lizards, and is known to live beneath flaking bark, and the crevasses in trunks and branches. They also dwell in logs and litter on the forest floor. On farmland they tend to live in rotting logs or rank vegetation. Striped Skinks have also been found in swampland

Population and range

Fewer than 120 striped skinks have ever been found.
They are presently known from around 40 widely scattered inland locations throughout the central and northern North Island.
They have also been found on Great Barrier and Little Barrier Island.

Further information

The Department of Conservation welcomes any comments or suggestions you may have about the conservation of the striped skink. These can be directed to the recovery group via any office of the Department, or to the Biodiversity recovery Unit.

The Striped Skink Recovery Plan is now out of print and so is only available from libraries.

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