The effect of burning‐off tussock grassland on the population density of common skinks

Abstract The density of a population of common skinks, Leiolopisma nigriplantare maccanni , in tussock grassland was measured before and after the vegetation was burnt. Population density declined 28%, from 1 lizard per 24 m 2 before the fire, to 1 lizard per 33 m 2 after the fire. Skink survival is attributed to the low heat of the fire and to the possible use of crevices for shelter.