The Copper Skink is very common over much of the North Island .  Sleek, glossy and coppery in colour, it grows to about 10 cms, with a very long tail. 

Being nocturnal they are active mainly by night and eat small insects, spiders and similar invertebrates.

The Copper Skink does not lay eggs but is a live-bearer.  Usually 3 - 7 in number, the young are born in February - March and are often large at birth, sometimes up to half the adult length.

Photography by: Matt Low ©