Hardy's skink
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SPECIES
Oligosoma hardyi

Hardy's skink (Oligosoma hardyi ) is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands of New Zealand.

Animal name origin

The specific name, hardyi, is in honor of Kiwiherpetologist Graham S. Hardy.

Appearance

O. hardyi can be distinguished from all other Oligosoma species, including the other members of the O. aeneum species complex, by having suboculars three and four separated by the fifth supralabial under the eye. In addition, the midbody scale count is greater than that of the slight skink (Oligosoma levidensum ) from the Te Paki region.

Distribution

Geography

In the Poor Knights Islands, O. hardyi occurs on Tawhiti Rahi Island, Aorangi Island, Aorangaia Island, Archway Island, and two rock stacks (Stack “B,” Stack “C”).

Habits and Lifestyle

O. hardyi is most commonly found in areas where there is ground cover near flax and scrub habitat. It is crepuscular, seeking refuge during the day under stones or thick vegetation.

References

1. Hardy's skink Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardy's_skink

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