Kingdom Animalia Family Scincidae Scientific name Cyclodina alani Rank Species | Class Reptilia Genus Oligosoma Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Similar Oligosoma, Whitaker's skink, Scree skink, Falla's skink, Oligosoma infrapunctatum | ||
The robust skink, Oligosoma alani (formerly Cyclodina alani), is a large, rare species of skink endemic to New Zealand. This species was once widespread throughout the North Island but has been wiped out in most parts of its former range by predation from several species of introduced rats - it now occurs naturally only on 6 small islands off the north-eastern coast of the North Island.
The specific epithet for this animal was given by the describer in honour of his nephew, Alan Robb.
Robust skinks are strongly nocturnal and live under rocks, or in seabird burrows, tree stumps and fallen logs. They prefer well vegetated areas with plenty of leaf litter and tolerate coastal areas as long as there is dense vegetation cover. Studies of robust skinks show they are unusually vulnerable to losing water through their skin, which may explain their preference for damp environments such as crevices, bird burrows, rotting logs and closely matted vegetation.