Facts about rainbow skinks
Legal status
The rainbow skink is an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. It is illegal to knowingly communicate (move); release, or cause to be released; spread; sell, or offer for sale; exhibit; or breed rainbow skinks without the explicit permission of a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Chief Technical Officer.
Head of rainbow skink, showing
scale patterns
Species information
Rainbow skinks (Lampropholis delicata) are native to Australia. They are small lizards, measuring about 3-4cm long from nose to hind legs excluding the long thin tail. The skink is brown or grey-brown with a dark brown stripe down each side, and an iridescent rainbow or metallic sheen when seen in bright light.
Although the adults are smaller than native skinks, they look very similar but can be easily distinguished with one distinctive feature.
Rainbow skink scale patterns
Rainbow skinks have one large scale on the top of their head, whereas New Zealand native skinks have two smaller scales.
Rainbow skinks were first recorded in Auckland during the 1960s, probably arriving accidentally in cargo. Since this time they have become widespread from Northland to Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, with outlying populations at Wanganui, Palmerston North and Foxton Beach. They are not known to be in the South Island.
If you suspect that you have found this pest in the South Island, call MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.
Where are they found?
Rainbow skinks prefer moist areas and are commonly found under vegetation, litter, rocks and logs.
They also thrive in urban areas, gardens, commercial areas, industrial sites, garden centres, and waste ground. These skinks will frequently enter freight and shipping containers.
Rainbow skinks are prolific breeders, and you may find communal nests of 20-100 small white eggs, 8-10mm long, oval in shape, with a tough leathery shell. It is common for them to lay their eggs in the soil of potted plants.
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