About Oligosoma moco (Duméril & Bibron, 1839)
Common Name and Coloration Variability
Oligosoma moco (Duméril & Bibron, 1839), commonly called the moko skink, has variable coloration and patterning. Its overall base color is coppery or olive brown, and it usually has an even-edged dark brown stripe running along its side, which is bordered by cream or white along both the top and bottom edges.
Color Morph Variation
Some individual skinks of this species are very dark.
Body Structure and Size
It has distinctive long toes and a long tail, reaching a maximum snout–vent length of 81 mm (3.2 in). The very long tail accounts for over half of the skink’s total body length.
Species Distinction from Congener
This species can be told apart from the undescribed Whirinaki skink, another member of the Oligosoma genus, because Whirinaki skinks have a distinct teardrop-shaped marking below their eyes.
Endemism Status
This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Geographic Range
It occurs across the northeastern region of the North Island, ranging between North Cape and the Bay of Plenty, and is most commonly found on numerous islands off the North Island’s east coast.
Conservation Introduction
To support conservation of the species, skinks were released into the Rotoroa Island sanctuary in 2015.
Habitat Type
Moko skinks typically inhabit coastal environments.
Activity and Basking Behavior
They are primarily active during the day, and are often observed basking on warm rocks.
Microhabitat Use
They may also be found under logs and stones, and on clay banks.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
They feed on small insects, spiders, and other similar invertebrates, and frequently emerge from the edges of vegetation to hunt on beaches and open rocky areas.
Reproductive Mode
Like most native New Zealand skinks, the moko skink gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
Litter Characteristics
Litters of between two and six young are born between February and March each year.
