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Rainforest Cool-skink

Harrisoniascincus zia

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 7/09/2023

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Least Concern

Listed since: 14/06/2017

Population trend: Stable

Other names: None

Priority species? No

The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derived from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.

Description

The Rainforest Cool-skink is a small reptile species that grows up to 55mm with the recorded distribution of the occuring entirely within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area in central eastern Australia with an elevation greater than 700m. The Rainforest Cool-skink feeds on small litter and soil invertebrates including insects and earth-worms.

Threats

Climate change is the greatest threat to the Rainforest Cool-skink as it occurs in relict highland areas of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which are projected to become continually warmer and drier. Fire has the potential to permanently degrade highland rainforests to be uninhabitable areas when it reaches into highland rainforests, as occurred during the 2019�20 fire season.