Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Infraorder Scincomorpha Scientific name Oligosoma smithii Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Sauria Family Scincidae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
 | ||
Similar Oligosoma, Moko skink, Suter's skink, Duvaucel's gecko, Copper skink | ||
The shore skink (Oligosoma smithi ), also commonly known as the short-tailed skink, Smith's ground skink, Smith's moco, and Smith's skink, is a species of skink native to the north half of the North Island of New Zealand.
Contents
Zoo tales shore skinks check in to rotoroa island
Habitat
The shore skink is always found near the shoreline and prefers open areas such as around driftwood at the high tide mark.
Diet
Oligosoma smithi eats insects and probably anything that moves and fits in its mouth.
Etymology
The specific name, smithi, is in honor of British naval officer Lt Alexander Smith who collected the original specimens in the 1840s, and presented them to his uncle John Edward Gray, who described the new species.
Behavior
The shore skink is diurnal (active during the day) and spends most of its time hunting or basking in the sun.
Description
O. smithi is small species of skink, growing to a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 8 cm (3.1 in). It is well camouflaged, and may be found in a range of colours, sometimes almost black.
Conservation status
As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the shore skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.