Identifying Skinks

I do some of my field work up in the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary, near Alexandra.
This is a small predator fenced area. Several grand and Otago skinks were released into this area and some of my work is searching for them to see if they are still there!

When we find a skink we have to try to get some photos of them - which is easier said than done! Ideally we would get a side-on photo of each side of the skink.

We use these photos to identify the skinks. Before the skinks were released reference photos were taken of each skink - left side and right side. We use those reference photos to see if we can identify the skinks we are seeing in the Mokomoko sanctuary. Each skink has a unique pattern around their head - kind of like our fingerprints.

When I get back to the DoC office I download the photos I have taken and see if I can identify which skink is which. I look carefully at the patterns around it's eye and along to the vent (hole on the side of it's head)

Have a go - can you tell which skink this one is? Is it A, B or C?

Skink 1

Skink A

Skink B

Skink C

How about this one? A, B or C

Skink 2

Skink A

Skink B

Skink C

Reply in a comment below - Skink 1 is:

                                              Skink 2 is:
Remember to leave me your name (first name only!) and room number so I can reply to you and put your entry into the competition!

Collaboration

Science is all about working together and with other people. For scientists to work well they need to talk to other scientists. They share the work they are doing and help each other out. If groups of scientists work together it helps them to have a better understanding of the complex problems they work on.

Here at DoC (Department of Conservation) they work closely with Landcare Research to make sure they are doing the right things for the grand and Otago skinks. The Landcare scientists share their knowledge of skinks and the DoC scientists share their knowledge of predators and the habitat to work together to make sure the skinks are safe and protected.

Scientists work with each other all over the world - they share their research and they discuss other scientists research. Scientists learn a lot from each other and they all have different ideas to bring to a project.

It's the same at school! Working with others can help you have a better understanding of the work you are doing.
Think of the times when you have worked with other people - what new ideas did you learn from them and what did they learn from you? Did you do a better job of the task because you all shared your thinking?

Have a look at this video from the Science Learning Hub talking about scientists collaborating in Antarctica.

http://sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Icy-Ecosystems/Sci-Media/Video/Collaboration-in-Antarctica

What different scientists are working together? Why is it important for them to work together?

Skinks in New Zealand

The grand and Otago skinks are two of our most endangered, rare skinks in New Zealand and you probably won't see them in your backyard but we do have other skinks and these ones you will be able to see!

There are about 33 different species of skinks found in many different places around New Zealand and almost half of those species are endangered or threatened.

You can find more information about skinks (and geckos) on this page from the Science Learning Hub.

The most common native skinks you are likely to see in your garden are:
Common skink (Oligosoma polychroma)


McCann's skink (Oligosoma maccanni)


If you see these skinks and you have a cat - watch out - cats are one of the worst predators of skinks! If you can, keep your cat in at night to help protect our native skinks.

Keep your eyes peeled - the best way to spot skinks is on a warm, sunny day around rocks and tussocks - you need to be very quiet and move very slowly to see them sitting still. Try to get a photo of one when you have become a great spotter. Send me your skink photos and I'll publish them on the blog.