Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Infraorder Scincomorpha Scientific name Oligosoma suteri Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Sauria Family Scincidae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Similar Oligosoma, Moko skink, Shore skink, Oligosoma homalonotum, Whitaker's skink | ||
Suter's skink or the black shore skink (Oligosoma suteri) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
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Oviparity
Oligosoma suteri is the only native New Zealand skink to lay eggs – hence another of its common names, the egg-laying skink. (The egg-laying rainbow skink, Lampropholis delicata, is present in some parts of New Zealand, but is introduced from Australia).
Geographic range
O. suteri lives on northern offshore islands, from the Three Kings Islands to the Alderman Islands.
Biology
Suter's skink inhabits the coast, often very close to the water, eating mainly intertidal amphipods that in turn subsist on dead seaweed. It is known to hunt for prey in rock pools and is a capable swimmer. Suter's skink reaches densities (up to 13/m2) that are among the highest lizard densities anywhere in the world.
Etymology
Both the specific name, suteri, and one of the common names, Suter's skink, are in honor of Henry Suter (1841–1918), New Zealand zoologist and palaeontologist.