The ornate skink, Oligosoma ornatum, is a rare species of skink endemic to New Zealand. This species was once widespread through much of the North Island and on many offshore islands in the Hauraki Gulf and north of the Coromandel Peninsula.[2] Habitat destruction and predation by introduced species has now reduced their range to scattered localities throughout the North Island as far south as Wellington, as well as on the Three Kings Islands, Great Barrier Island, and a few other offshore islands.[3]
Ornate skinks co-exist widely with copper skinks, and at selected localities with robust skinks, Mokohinau skinks, McGregor's skinks, Poor Knights skinks and on Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands, marbled skinks. Ornate skinks are not currently known to co-exist with Whitaker's skinks.
Ornate skinks can be identified by the white or yellowish "teardrop" edged with black, below each eye.[4]
^"Oligosoma ornatum". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
^Morris, R; Ballance, A. (2008). Rare Wildlife of New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Random House. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-86941-912-7.[permanent dead link]
^Downs, D. R. (August 1999). Cyclodina spp. skink recovery plan 1999-2004 (TSRP-27). Threatened Species Recovery Plan Series, No. 27(PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai). p. 69. ISBN 0-478-21838-9. ISSN 1173-2946. OCLC 56141853.
^"Gardening for the ornate skink factsheet" (Press release). Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai), Wellington, New Zealand. 2009.
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