Oligosoma polychroma
Silhouette: David Orr · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~50% in a week ~80%
The common skink (Oligosoma polychroma), also known as the northern grass skink, is a species of skink native to New Zealand. Although historically classified as a subspecies of Oligosoma nigriplantare, it is likely to be given separate species status as data suggests it is a distinct species.
The common skink is widespread in New Zealand from Stewart Island to the middle of North Island. In 2012 the Department of Conservation classified the common skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Media related to Oligosoma polychroma at Wikimedia Commons Image of the holotype specimen of the common skink held at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoraki Mount Cook National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 2 | Arthur's Pass National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willowbank Wildlife Reserve | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
No species of the same family or order lives in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, so these are its closest relatives here: other reptiles.
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Common New Zealand Skink sighting in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. Over three days the chance rises to about 50%, and over a week to about 80%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March
In that month about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Common New Zealand Skink in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on a given day, against under 5% in January, April–May, July and October, the lowest months.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Common New Zealand Skink sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Common New Zealand Skink sightings, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park has the highest daily chance: about 20%. Next come Arthur's Pass National Park (New Zealand, about 20%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Common New Zealand Skink is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (5 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
