Reptiles and amphibians of Aotearoa

Sam Purdie holding an awakōpaka skink (PHOTO: ©Samuel Purdie)

The awakōpaka skink (Oligosoma awakopaka) is one of New Zealand's rarest reptiles. It is only known from a single, sliver of habitat in Fiordland's mountains. (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The northern Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) is New Zealand's largest gecko. They were once widespread on mainland Aotearoa, but were completely extirpated from mainland New Zealand. (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The kakerakau skink (Oligosoma kakerakau) was first discovered in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, when a single individual was found. It was almost immediately recognised as a new species. (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The northern striped gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus) is a highly elusive gecko known only from the Coromandel region (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The hura te ao gecko (Mokopirirakau galaxias) is an astonishing alpine gecko that was only discovered in 2018 (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The rough gecko (Naultinus rudis) is a gorgeous species of green gecko with unusual raised scales. They have suffered from extensive habitat modification and are now thought to be our most threatened green gecko. (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense) is one of New Zealand's largest skinks and is endangered. (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The robust skink (Oligosoma alani) (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The orange-spotted gecko (Mokopirirakau _Roys Peak_) is a gorgeous alpine gecko that is often vibrant orange (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)

The robust_skink Oligosoma alani is New Zealand's largest skink (PHOTO: © Samuel Purdie)