Moko Skink

Reduced boat fares for Supporters

Date posted: 13-Apr-2012

From the 360 Discovery Team: 360 Discovery is pleased to be able to offer you a special offer on..

Date posted: 22-Mar-2012

Join the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi and amateur astronomers on Saturday 28th April for a spe..

Date posted: 16-Mar-2012

Yet again we are running our almost famous photo competition on the island so please get your ca..

Ornithology to play at Tiri Kokako Concert

Date posted: 07-Mar-2012

To celebrate our kokako and bring Kokako Week to a fitting climax, we have a great concert lined..

Date posted: 27-Feb-2012

Artwork for our Kokako Week event is now being delivered to the Island by our visiting artists a..

Date posted: 03-Feb-2012

This year's 'Celebration Week species' is the kokako. Once again, we have the kokako-inspired wo..

Pied Shag - possible new breeding species

Date posted: 29-Dec-2011

Pied Shags are a common sight on Tiritiri Matangi, sometimes feeding on the seas around the Isla..

Date posted: 23-Dec-2011

Congratulations to Te Koha Waiata and Cloudsley Shovel. After two unsuccessful seasons our found..

Date posted: 14-Dec-2011

The 10th December was a special day on the Island with the arrival of wetapunga on Tiri...

Date posted: 23-Nov-2011

So far this season the kokako team have found the nests of three pairs: Cloudsley Shovel and TKW..

Scientific Name: Oligosoma moco

The moko skink is mainly found on islands off the east coast of the northern half of the North Island. It's colour and pattern are variable, but its overall colour is coppery or olive brown and it usually has an even edged dark brown stripe along the side, bordered cream or white on the top and bottom. It has distinctive long toes and tail and grows to a maximum of 18 cms.

Being diurnal moko skinks are active mainly by day, often seen basking, or found under logs and stones and in clay banks. Sometimes they are found up manuka. They eat small insects, spiders and similar invertebrates.

Like most of the native skinks the moko skink does not lay eggs but is a live-bearer, with litters of up to 8, born around February.