Skink social network may help save species

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-01-27 03:00

New Zealand

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Reptiles, apart from dinosaurs, aren’t usually thought of as particularly sociable. However, researchers from the University of Otago found that social groups of between two and eight endangered Otago skinks in Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary persisted between seasons. Adults and subadults formed more stable networks than juveniles. Understanding sociality may improve translocation success for endangered skinks by avoiding disruption of social structures, suggest the authors.