User:MKShrifty/sandbox

I will be editing the page Otago skink. Under this page I will expand upon the status, habitat, species threats, and existing conservation efforts. Also, I will try to give more detail of the physical description, diet and habitiat.

Description:

Unlike many reptiles, this species develops in the mother's body and holds live births of two to three at a time.

Young have different physical characteristics, with more of a yellow coloration with dark spots.and shorter limbs.

They also consume petals, and other small reptiles.

Habitat:

This lizard is among the rarest, largest reptiles of New Zealand. Living up to 16 years in the wild

Habitat conditions consist of rocky canyons and tossocks (grassy patches) of the central Otago region.

The majority of the species can be found on the south eastern portion of the southern island in Otago, usually up to 1,000 meters in elevation. However, another population can be found inhabiting and western regions of Otago, with a combined total range of nearly 860 square miles. Although the two populations are morphologically similar, there has been speculation as to whether they have undergone genetic variation. A phylogeographic analysis conducted by Chapple et al. examined the genetics of the subpopulations. It suggests that there is a separation in lineages, but geneflow still occurs in neighboring locations. The study advises that the two regions are assessed and treated separately.

Conservation:

Anthropogenic threats along with other natural traits, like low productivity and late sexual maturity, all compile to threaten the Otago skink. Additionally, the species requires strict habitat standards that are limited near its natural origin, leaving small, isolated populations with no room for relocation or expanding, especially in the presence of climate change. A management trial was developed in 2005 that lead to a major population recovery. Habitat conservation, predator control, and program monitoring became the major objectives and have since proved successful as the numbers are slowly increasing. The Otago skink is currently fully protected under the New Zealand government., making it an offense to harm. The DOC aims to continue efforts for management in situ, but some captive management has been carried out by breeders, organizations, and zoos to ensure preservation from natural catastrophe.

no longer expected to become functionally extinct.

Direct Anthropogenic: Agricultural and mining have over time taken much of the land and habitat from the species- altering the native landscape and overall removing natural food sources and removing cover from predators. This was magnified when the lizards seemed to need it most, with the introduction of mammalian predators. The introduction was unintended to be harmful. The lizards historically have not been exposed to much predation, besides native raptors, so they did not adapt well to house cats, rabbits, ferrets, and weasels in conjunction with a now lack of shelter to hide.