Moko Skink

Oligosoma moco

The moko skink is mainly found on islands off the east coast of the northern half of the North Island.  It's colour and pattern are variable, but its overall colour is coppery or olive brown and it usually has an even edged dark brown stripe along the side, bordered cream or white on the top and bottom.  It has distinctive long toes and tail and grows to a maximum of 18 cms.

Being diurnal moko skinks are active mainly by day, often seen basking, or found under logs and stones and in clay banks.  Sometimes they are found up manuka.  They eat small insects, spiders and similar invertebrates.

Like most of the native skinks the moko skink does not lay eggs but gives birth to live young, with litters of up to eight, born around February.

Photography by Simon Fordham ©