Speckled Skink
CR

Speckled Skink

Oligosoma infrapunctatum

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligosoma_infrapunctatum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Oligosoma infrapunctatum faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development across its limited range. Introduced mammalian predators, particularly rats and mustelids, pose a significant threat to remaining populations through direct predation on adults and eggs. The species' restricted distribution makes it extremely vulnerable to localized extinction events, with fragmented populations unable to sustain viable breeding groups.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered skink inhabits coastal shrublands, grasslands, and rocky outcrops in New Zealand's lowland environments. The species requires areas with adequate ground cover for shelter and foraging, typically favoring sites with scattered rocks and native vegetation.

Other threatened species in SCINCIDAE

VU

Florida Sand Skink

Plestiodon reynoldsi

Declining
EN

Open Bay Islands Skink

Oligosoma taumakae

Declining
Oligosoma newmaniVU

Oligosoma newmani

Declining
Gracile Dwarf SkinkVU

Gracile Dwarf Skink

Nannoscincus gracilis

Unknown

Threatened in New Zealand

EN

Xerocomus griseo-olivaceus

Declining
EN

Small-eared Skink

Oligosoma stenotis

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Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Speckled Skink classified as Critically Endangered?
Speckled Skink is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Oligosoma infrapunctatum faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development across its limited range. Introduced mammalian predators, particularly rats and mustelids, pose a significant threat to remaining populations through direct predation on adults and eggs. The species' restricted distribution makes it extremely vulnerable to localized extinction events, with fragmented populations unable to sustain viable breeding groups.
Where does Speckled Skink live?
Speckled Skink occurs in New Zealand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Speckled Skink?
The main threats to Speckled Skink are 2.1, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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