Arboreal behaviour and habitat use in the Nationally Critical Kapitia skink (Oligosoma salmo)

Abstract

The Kapitia skink (Oligosoma salmo) is only found on the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand. This critically endangered skink has a moderately prehensile tail that would be expected to contribute to an ability to climb as part of its natural history. However, its current only habitat, a highly modified pasture, lacks vegetation or natural structures that would promote arboreal behaviour. We conducted a pilot study investigating the behavioural activity of a captive, wild-born Kapitia skink at Auckland Zoo in 2020. Over 13 days (24 hours/day) of focal sampling climbing behaviour was observed for the first time in this species (8%, n=58/703 mins). The skink was most active in the middle of the day, especially in fine, sunny weather. We suggest further investigations into the range of habitat use for this species. This study supports the importance of exploring potential habitat types beyond what we typically assume as the ideal habitat type (based on its source location) for an organism.