Reptiles of
New Zealand  

Related checklists:  Chatham Islands - Cook Strait Islands - North Island - North Island outlying islands - South Island - South Island outlying islands - Stewart Island

Bibliography of the reptiles of New Zealand Taxonomic history of the reptiles of New Zealand Introduced species
Home - Taxonomy - Geography - Biodiversity - Literature - Purchase RepFocus Recent updates
Citation: Midtgaard, Rune. RepFocus - A Survey of the Reptiles of the World. www.repfocus.dk (Compilation date: April 14th, 2023).

Checklist
General remarks: The list includes only formally described species. Newly discovered, but still unnamed species are excluded. However, unnamed species or species unassigned to species level are included, if they are the only representatives of their genus in the region. Species counts exclude extinct and introduced species. Doubtful records, typically older voucher specimens of uncertain origin, have been excluded if considered questionable, as are records based on sources considered unreliable or controversial.
Note: Your comments to the checklist (omissions, errors, etc.) are welcomed, preferably if they are provided with reliable references. If possible, please attach a pdf file of the relevant reference to an email addressed to:
Tuatara (Rhynchocephalia)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Sphenodontidae (Tuatara)
Genus Sphenodon (Tuatara)
  *
Sphenodon punctatus

Tuatara

Jewell 2008 Wermuth & Mertens 1977 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018

Lizards (Sauria)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Diplodactylidae (Double-toed Geckos)
Genus Dactylocnemis (Pacific Brown Gecko)
  *
Dactylocnemis pacificus

Pacific Brown Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Parish & Gill 2003 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Hoplodactylus (New Zealand Giant Geckos)
  *
Hoplodactylus duvaucelii

Northern Giant Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Morgan-Richards, Hinlo, Smuts-Kennedy, Innes, Ji, Barry, Brunton & Hitchmough 2016 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Hoplodactylus tohu

Southern Giant Gecko

Scarsbrook, Walton, Rawlence & Hitchmough 2023
Genus Mokopirirakau (New Zealand Forest Geckos)
  *
Mokopirirakau cryptozoicus

Takitimu Gecko

Jewell & Leschen 2004 Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Mokopirirakau galaxias

Southern Black-eyed Gecko

Knox, Hitchmough, Nielsen, Jewell & Bell 2021
  *
Mokopirirakau granulatus

Granular-scaled Forest Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Mokopirirakau kahutarae

Kahutara Black-eyed Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Mokopirirakau nebulosus

New Zealand Cloudy Gecko

Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Naultinus (New Zealand Tree Geckos)
  *
Naultinus elegans

Green Tree Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus flavirictus

Aupouri Tree Gecko

Hitchmough, Nielsen, Lysaght & Bauer 2021 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as Naultinus 'North Cape']
  *
Naultinus gemmeus

New Zealand Jewel Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus grayii

Northland Green Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus manukanus

Marlborough Green Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus punctatus

New Zealand Barking Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus rudis

New Zealand Rough Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus stellatus

New Zealand Starred Gecko

Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Naultinus tuberculatus

West Coast Green Gecko

Bauer 1994 [as poecilochlorus] Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 [as poecilochlorus] Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Toropuku (New Zealand Striped Geckos)
  *
Toropuku inexpectatus

Coromandel Striped Gecko

Hitchmough, Nielsen & Bauer 2020 Jewell 2008 [as stephensi] Nielsen, Bauer, Jackman, Hitchmough & Daugherty 2011 [as stephensi] Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as Toropuku 'Coromandel']
  *
Toropuku stephensi

Southern Striped Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Nielsen, Bauer, Jackman, Hitchmough & Daugherty 2011 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Tukutuku (Harlequin Gecko)
  *
Tukutuku rakiurae

Harlequin Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Nielsen, Bauer, Jackman, Hitchmough & Daugherty 2011 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Woodworthia (New Zealand Brown Geckos)
  *
Woodworthia brunnea

Waitaha Gecko

Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as W. cf. brunnea]
  *
Woodworthia chrysosiretica

Gold-striped Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Woodworthia maculata

Raukawa Gecko

Bauer 1990 Bauer 1994 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
 Family Scincidae (Skinks)
Genus Oligosoma (New Zealand Lesser Skinks)
  *
Oligosoma acrinasum

Fiordland Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma aeneum

New Zealand Copper Skink

Chapple, Patterson, Bell & Daugherty 2008 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 [as pseudornatum] Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma alani

New Zealand Robust Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma albornense

Alborn Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as O. aff. infrapunctatum 'Alborn']
  *
Oligosoma auroraensis

Eastern Speckled Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as O. aff. infrapunctatum 'Hawke's Bay']
  *
Oligosoma awakopaka

Awakopaka Skink

Jewell 2017 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma burganae

Burgan Skink

Chapple, Bell, Chapple, Miller, Daugherty & Patterson 2011 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma chloronoton

Southland Green Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma elium

Marlborough Spotted Skink

Melzer, Bell & Patterson 2017 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma fallai

Three Kings Islands Skink

Jewell 2008 Parish & Gill 2003 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma grande

Grand Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma hardyi

Poor Knights Skink

Chapple, Patterson, Bell & Daugherty 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma homalonotum

Chevron Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma hoparatea

Pukuma Skink

Whitaker, Chapple, Hitchmough, Lettink & Patterson 2018 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma inconspicuum

Cryptic Skink

Chapple, Bell, Chapple, Miller, Daugherty & Patterson 2011 Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Patterson & Daugherty 1990 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma infrapunctatum

Belly-speckled Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019
  *
Oligosoma judgeorum

Barrier Skink

Patterson & Bell 2009 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma kahurangi

Kahurangi Skink

Patterson & Hitchmough 2021
  *
Oligosoma kakerakau

Whangarei Skink

Barr, Chapple, Hitchmough, Patterson & Ngatiwai Trust Board 2021
  *
Oligosoma kokowai

Northern Spotted Skink

Jewell 2008 [as lineoocellatum] Melzer, Bell & Patterson 2017 Robb 1980 [as lineoocellatum] Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma levidensum

Slight Skink

Chapple, Patterson, Bell & Daugherty 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma lineoocellatum

Canterbury Spotted Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma longipes

Northern Long-toed Skink

Jewell 2008 Patterson 1997 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma maccanni

Ranfurly Skink

Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Patterson & Daugherty 1990 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma macgregori

Hauraki Gulf Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma microlepis

Small-scaled Skink

Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Patterson & Daugherty 1990 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma moco

Moko Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma newmani

Southern Speckled Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019 Robb 1980 [as O. infrapunctatum] Wells & Wellington 1985 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as O. infrapunctatum]
  *
Oligosoma nigriplantare

Chatham Islands Skink

Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma notosaurus

Southern Skink

Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Patterson & Daugherty 1990 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma oliveri

Marbled Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma ornatum

New Zealand Ornate Skink

Jewell 2008 Parish & Gill 2003 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma otagense

Giant Otago Skink

Jewell 2008 Patterson 1997 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma pachysomaticum

Coromandel Skink

Robb 1975 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as O. oliveri]
  *
Oligosoma pikitanga

Sinbad Skink

Bell & Patterson 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma polychroma

Northern Grass Skink

Daugherty, Patterson, Thorn & French 1990 Jewell 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma prasinum

Mackenzie Skink

Melzer, Bell & Patterson 2017 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma repens

Eyres Skink

Chapple, Bell, Chapple, Miller, Daugherty & Patterson 2011 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma robinsoni

Crenulate Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019 Wells & Wellington 1985
  *
Oligosoma roimata

Aorangi Skink

Patterson, Hitchmough & Chapple 2013 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma salmo

Chesterfield Skink

Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson 2019 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018 [as O. aff. infrapunctatum 'Chesterfield']
  *
Oligosoma smithii

Shore Skink

Jewell 2008 Parish & Gill 2003 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma stenotis

Small-eared Skink

Jewell 2008 Patterson & Daugherty 1994 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma striatum

New Zealand Striped Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 [as latilinearum] Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma suteri

New Zealand Egg-laying Skink

Jewell 2008 Parish & Gill 2003 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma taumakae

Taumaka Skink

Chapple & Patterson 2007 Jewell 2008 Lettink, Hopkins & Wilson 2013 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma tekakahu

Te Kakahu Skink

Chapple, Bell, Chapple, Miller, Daugherty & Patterson 2011 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma toka

Nevis Skink

Chapple, Bell, Chapple, Miller, Daugherty & Patterson 2011 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma townsi

Hauraki Skink

Chapple, Patterson, Gleeson, Daugherty & Ritchie 2008 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma waimatense

Barred Scree Skink

Jewell 2008 Patterson 1997 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma whitakeri

Mercury Islands Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
  *
Oligosoma zelandicum

Glossy Brown Skink

Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018

Snakes (Serpentes)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Elapidae [part 2: marine species] (Sea Snakes)
Genus Hydrophis (Typical Sea Snakes)
 
Hydrophis platurus

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

Cogger in Dunson (ed.) 1975 David & Ineich 1999 Ineich 1988 Jewell 2008 Robb 1980 Smith 1926 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Laticauda (Sea Kraits)
 
Laticauda colubrina

Yellow-lipped Sea Krait

Cogger in Dunson (ed.) 1975 Gill & Whitaker 2014 Heatwole, Busack & Cogger 2005 Jewell 2008 Kharin, Roedel & Hallermann 2010 Robb 1980 Smith 1926 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
 
Laticauda laticaudata

Blue-lipped Sea Krait

Gill & Whitaker 2014 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
 
Laticauda saintgironsi

New Caledonian Sea Krait

Gill & Whitaker 2014 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018

Turtles (Testudines)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled Sea Turtles)
Genus Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
 
Caretta caretta

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Jewell 2008 King & Burke 1989 Pritchard 1979 Pritchard in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Chelonia (Green Sea Turtle)
 
Chelonia mydas

Green Sea Turtle

Jewell 2008 King & Burke 1989 Pritchard in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
 
Eretmochelys imbricata

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Jewell 2008 King & Burke 1989 Pritchard in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Robb 1980 Tennyson, Roxburgh & Taylor 1995 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
Genus Lepidochelys (Ridley Sea Turtles)
 
Lepidochelys olivacea

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Darby 1987 Pritchard in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018
 Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
Genus Dermochelys (Leatherback Sea Turtle)
 
Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Jewell 2008 King & Burke 1989 Pritchard in Bjorndal (ed.) 1982 Rhodin, Iverson, Bour, Fritz, Georges, Shaffer & Dijk 2021 Robb 1980 Winkel, Baling & Hitchmough 2018