Barrier Skink

The Barrier skink is an alpine specialist of the Darran Mountains in Fiordland. It is a robust dark skink with pale flecks and stripes that break up its outline among alpine rock.

Known from a very small high-elevation range in the Darran Mountains, it uses boulder fields well above the bush line. It basks in brief alpine sunshine and retreats deep between rocks; observations include taking meat monitoring baits.

Barrier skink is Threatened — Nationally Vulnerable (NZ Threat Classification). The remote, hazardous alpine range and sensitivity of the population make it unsuitable as a casual wildlife target.