Sinbad Skink

The Sinbad skink is a rare alpine lizard known from the Sinbad Gully area of Fiordland. Its dark brown back has pale flecking and longitudinal markings, with a long tail and limbs suited to rocky terrain.

It occupies a tiny alpine range in Sinbad Gully near Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. It is active by day when conditions allow and shelters beneath or between rocks; the species is probably omnivorous, taking invertebrates and native fruit.

Sinbad skink is Threatened — Nationally Critical (NZ Threat Classification). Its remote protected habitat is reached only by demanding travel, and records largely come from scientific monitoring.