Native skinks and geckos

Kingdom

Animalia

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Squamata

Family

Scincidae

Diplodactylidae

Genus

Oligosoma

Naultinus, Hoplodactylus

Number of native species

• 33 species (78 species in total, but new species are still being discovered)
• They are all endemic.

• 48 (estimated) – these have not all been fully described.
• They are all endemic.

Physical characteristics and behaviour

• Vary in colour and size – the longest measures 14 cm from head to cloaca.
• Typically slender with narrow heads and small eyes.
• They blink to keep their eyes clean.
• May be active during the day (diurnal) or at night (nocturnal).
• They can regrow a lost tail.
• Good sense of smell, hearing and sight.
• Good swimmers, sprinters and climbers.

• Vary in colour and size – the longest measures 16 cm from head to cloaca.
• Typically broader and more robust than skinks.
• The lower eyelid has fused shut, but a transparent scale covers the eye. Geckos lick the scale to keep it clean.
• Slow moving.
• Large eyes, as their ancestors were mostly active at night (nocturnal).
• They can regrow a lost tail.
• Good sense of smell, hearing and sight.
• Excellent climbing ability using the fine hairs on their toes to grip the surface.

Skin

• Tight and shiny.
• Scales that look similar to fish scales.
• They rub their skin off in small patches rather than shedding it all at once.

• Loose and velvety.
• Normally brown or green.
• Often have beautiful patterns on their skin.
• When they shed their skin, it may come off in one go or in large pieces.

Reproduction

• All but one species bear live young (the remaining species lays eggs).
• Usually give birth to 2–5 young, but some species will have up to 10 at a time.

• All give birth to live young.
• Normally give birth to 2 young at a time.

Communication

• A few species are vocal and make sounds.
• Some species have been observed nodding and tail wiggling at each other.

• More vocal than skinks and use clicks and squeaks to communicate.
• Some species have been observed arching their mouths, opening their mouths and flicking their tails.

Diet

• Most eat insects, soft berries, nectar from flowers and honey dew.
• Some eat the remains of dead animals.

• Most eat insects, soft berries, nectar from flowers and honey dew.
• Some eat the remains of dead animals.

Lifespan

• Native skinks are long-lived.

• Native geckos are very long-lived and normally live longer than skinks.
• Common geckos can live for at least 40 years in the wild.

Habitat

• Wide variety of habitats ranging from coastal to high altitude.
• Each species is adapted to its specific habitat.

• Wide variety of habitats ranging from coastal to high altitude.
• Each species is adapted to its specific habitat.

Threats

• Skinks are more commonly seen than geckos.
• The main threats are introduced predators and habitat loss.

• The main threats are introduced predators and habitat loss.