scurries on poor knights' rocky shores

Size
Length: 10-12 cm
Lifespan
5-10 years
Diet
Small insects, spiders, and nectar. Uses sticky tongue to catch prey in humid coastal forest environments.
Habitat
Coastal forests and rocky outcrops on offshore islands. Prefers humid sheltered sites with dense vegetation and consistent rainfall.
Range
Offshore islands only. Endemic to specific archipelagos. Restricted to coastal forests and rocky outcrops in remote locations.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Invasive species including rats. Habitat modification from historical activity. Climate change affecting humidity levels.
Population
Nationally Critical. Endemic to specific offshore islands. Extremely limited distribution. Threatened by invasive species and habitat loss.
Conservation Status
Nationally Critical
Walkers miss it. Not because it is rare. Because it lives on remote islands few people visit. Oligosoma stenotis grows in coastal forests where humidity remains high year-round. Its colouration is bright green, blending with foliage. This cryptic appearance helps it avoid detection by predators. The species inhabits coastal forests and rocky outcrops on offshore islands. It prefers humid sheltered sites with dense vegetation, thriving where rainfall is consistent. Unlike mainland skinks, it has smoother skin and a more slender build. Adults reach up to 12 centimetres in length, with large eyes providing excellent night vision. Endemic to specific archipelagos. Restricted to coastal forests and rocky outcrops. Diet consists primarily of small insects and spiders. The skink uses its sticky tongue to catch prey with precision. It also consumes nectar from native flowers when available. This omnivorous diet allows it to survive in diverse habitats. Hunting occurs in canopy and under bark. Breeding occurs in spring and summer, with females giving birth to one or two live young. Young are fully formed and independent at birth. This strategy maximises survival chances in a predator-rich environment. They must fend for themselves immediately. Classified as Nationally Critical, the three-toed skink faces an extremely uncertain future. Its distribution is extremely limited, confined to specific offshore islands. Invasive species such as rats threaten seedlings and adults. Habitat modification from historical activity has reduced suitable forest area. Each threat compounds the others. The three-toed skink has nowhere else to go. It is endemic to these islands. If it disappears here, it disappears everywhere. Conservation efforts focus on eradicating invasive predators and protecting remaining forest habitat.