The threat of rainbow skinks
Rainbow skink impacts
Rainbow skinks are invasive pests that pose a threat to our rare native lizards. Rainbow skinks have already invaded other countries, for example Hawaii, where their impact has resulted in the serious decline of native skink species there.
Many of New Zealand's approximately 35 native skink species are in decline, or, in some cases, have become locally extinct through introduced predators such as rats, cats, mustelids and hedgehogs. Rainbow skinks are yet another threat to our declining native lizard populations, by competing directly for food and habitat.
Rainbow skink
Why are they a problem?
As the natural range of the rainbow skink includes the temperate climate of Tasmania they are well equipped to survive and spread throughout New Zealand and its offshore islands. Climate modelling suggests they would easily be able to establish in the South Island.
Rainbow skinks are able to reach high population densities in a relatively short time. They can reproduce rapidly, laying up to eight eggs three times per year and live for about two years. By comparison, most New Zealand skinks are long lived and only breed once per year at most. Some don't even start breeding until they are around five years old.
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