South Marlborough Spotted Skink

The South Marlborough spotted skink is a large, poorly known skink of Marlborough and northern Canterbury. Pale green, grey or brown upperparts carry light eye-like spots and dark speckles; dark flanks are cream-flecked above a plain grey belly.

Its range extends from near Ward south to Hawarden, with another population on Motunau Island. It basks and forages close to rocky or vegetated refuges; detailed life-history information remains sparse.

South Marlborough spotted skink is Threatened — Nationally Endangered (NZ Threat Classification). The species is localised and difficult to find; Motunau Island is managed and not a general-access viewing site.