Eyres Skink

The Eyres skink is a rare alpine species of western Otago’s Eyre Mountains. Brown and olive upperparts have pale flecks and stripes, with a long tail and a pattern suited to tussock and rock.

It is confined to high country in the Eyre Mountains and nearby western Otago ranges. It basks close to dense alpine cover and retreats into rock or vegetation, taking invertebrates and fruit.

Eyres skink is At Risk — Declining (NZ Threat Classification). Its remote alpine habitat and low density make it a specialist survey species rather than a regular visitor sighting.