Delicate or Rainbow Skink

Description:

An egg laying Australian skink. Important to note as all bar one of NZ skinks are livebearers. Was introduced to NZ in the 1960's and has spread widely through the upper half of the North Island. Images show a young skink hatching from its egg. Note the sheen of colour that gives the skink its name in the last image.

Habitat:

A highly successful colonist this skink is found in many environments. This one at Raglan Beach, on the west coast of the North Island. In Hawaii as in NZ it is considered undesirable and a threat to native skinks.

Notes:

The creation of new life is always an incredible thing and in its own environment I am sure this depiction of a birth would be celebrated. Out of its environment it is a process to be concerned about - a lesson for us all.