New Zealand Herpetological Society Inc.

This skink has been placed on the "Unwanted Organisms" register. See the Forum for more information.

Description:

This skink is small, greenish-brown or bronze, with a shiny iridescence which gives a rainbow appearance.

Distribution:

This eastern Australian egg-laying skink (Townsville and Cairns) was accidentally introduced in the 1960s, and spreading across New Zealand. There are concerns that it may become a problem as it is in Hawaii, where it is called a "Plague Skink".

Ecology

Egg laying, sun-basking. It is thought that Rainbow Skinks may compete with native NZ Copper Skinks

Habitat:

Eggs have been found under flower pots and in potting mix at nurseries. Adults appear to favour a ground litter layer with an open structure. The adults like to sun-bathe and also require some cover to hide from predators.

Notes:

Recorded in Wanganui, more recent reports of new colonies in Hamilton, north Auckland and  New Plymouth. Skinks and eggs may be transported with nursery material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_skink