NZ’s only egg-laying lizard lays low

Publicly released:
New Zealand
https://www.flickr.com/photos/remi_bigonneau/20040081905
https://www.flickr.com/photos/remi_bigonneau/20040081905

Little is known about our only egg-laying lizard Oligosoma suteri, says a research team who searched the Coromandel’s Korapuki Island for the native skink’s habitat choices. Nests were hard to spot: fewer than half a nest was found per person-hour of searching. Thermal analysis suggests female skinks select nest sites based on temperature, and incubation was similar in length to successful lab studies. The authors say possible translocation sites should be checked for temperature, including sites beyond this lizard’s current hangout range if future climate change affects the species’ habitat.

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From:

Journal/
conference:
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: Victoria University of Wellington, Centre for People and Nature, Te Māra a Tāne – Zealandia, Urban Wildlife Trust (NZ)
Funder: N/A
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