Common Skink

Oligosoma nigriplantare, endemic to New Zealand.

This little lizard likes to rest on driftwood in my rock garden. Although there was no sunshine today it was quite warm. Note how the right front leg is twisted so that the "palm" is turned outwards, gathering warmth. The tail, which is hidden underneath, is intact. I've cropped this image close to the skink because it is so well camouflaged that it is not easy to see.

As with most New Zealand skinks this one gives birth to live young, rather than laying eggs.

Looks good in large

Edit: My daughter, FirehorseMia, has had one of her blips published on the front page of The Press, one of NZ's leading newspapers.