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green skink, Oligosoma chloronoton, Whenua Hou Codfish Island, NZ_MG_6717
These large, robust skinks are pretty rare on the mainland in New Zealand due to the effects of introduced predators. However, on pest erradicated off-shore islands and even in well trapped areas on the mainland they can recover to quite healthy populations, as they have on Whenua Hou. Unfortunately the continuing effects of predators on the mainland mean that this species continues to decline in numbers despite one or two safe havens on islands or in intensively managed areas.
green skink, Oligosoma chloronoton, Whenua Hou Codfish Island, NZ_MG_6717
These large, robust skinks are pretty rare on the mainland in New Zealand due to the effects of introduced predators. However, on pest erradicated off-shore islands and even in well trapped areas on the mainland they can recover to quite healthy populations, as they have on Whenua Hou. Unfortunately the continuing effects of predators on the mainland mean that this species continues to decline in numbers despite one or two safe havens on islands or in intensively managed areas.