mallee lizards field guide

7/27/2019 Mallee Lizards Field Guide

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mallee

lizards eld guide



LakeTyrrell

YarriambiackCreek

Lake Coorong

T y

r r e l l C r e e k

L a l b e r t C

r e e k

MurrumbidgeeRiver

W a k o o l R i v e r

DarlingRiver

LakeVictoria

LakeWallawalla

Lake Cullulleraine

Rocket Lake

Pink Lakes

HattahLakes

KaradocSwamp

M u r r a y R i v e r

M u r r a y R i v e r

WirrengrenPlain

Lake Albacutya

OutletCreek

Murray - SunsetNational Park

Hattah -Kulkyne

National Park

WyperfeldNational ParkBig DesertWilderness

Area

AnnuelloFlora and

Fauna Reserve

WallpollaCreek

MILDURA RURALCITY COUNCIL

WESTWIMMERA

SHIRE

HINDMARSHSHIRE

YARRIAMBIACKSHIRE

BULOKESHIRE

GANNAWARRASHIRE

SWAN HILLRURAL CITY

LindsayRiver

Pinnaroo MurrayvilleUnderbool

Ouyen

Hattah

Cullulleraine

Wentworth

MerbeinMildura

RedCliffs

Robinvale

Manangatang

SwanHill

Balranald

Hopetoun

BeulahBirchip

Wycheproof

Sea Lake

Nyah

0 50 10025 km

VICTORIA

MCMAREGION

Towns

Highway

Major Road

Mallee CMA Boundary

State Border

Local government Areas

Waterbodies

Parks Victoria land

Other public land

N E W S O U T H W A L E SN E W S O U T H W A L E S

S O U

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AcknowledgementsThe Mallee CMA would like to thank

Peter Robertson or providing technical

knowledge and content review and

Natasha Schedvin or her helpul advice.

Thanks also to the photographers whoare acknowledged within the guide.

DisclaimerThis publication may be o assistance

to you but the Mallee Catchment

Management Authority and its employees

do not guarantee that the publication is

without faw o any kind or is whollyappropriate or your particular purpose

and thereore disclaims all liability or

any error, loss or other consequence

which may arise rom you relying on

any inormation in this publication.

ISBN: 978-1-920777-26-5

© Mallee CMA 2013

This publication is not for

sale, copies are available from the Mallee CMA.

Mallee CMA region

Front cover imagesCentral Bearded Dragon

(credit: Kevin Emmett)

Stumpy-tailed Lizard

(credit: Michael Williams,

IT’S A WILDLIFE)Eastern Stiped Skink

(credit: Peter Robertson)



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About the Mallee Catchment Management Authority

The Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) regionencompasses the Victorian Murray River oodplain rom the SouthAustralian border to Nyah, and the arid mallee country south to theWimmera (see map, inside cover).

Why a feld guide or lizards?

This feld guide includes lizards that are known to occur in theMallee region. It contains inormation based on local knowledge andexperience to help you identiy a lizard. It is intended to be simple andstraightorward to use and light enough to carry in your pocket.

This feld guide is part o a series developed by the Mallee CMA toshowcase dierent groups o auna within the Mallee region. Thisseries includes feld guides or Mallee waterbirds and Mallee rogs.

What are lizards?

Lizards are scaled reptiles (Class Reptilia – Order Squamata). Theytypically have eet, external ears and colour vision. The length o alizard is usually measured rom its snout (nose) to the base o its tail(vent). This is because many lizards have the ability to lose their tailsand survive. In this feld guide lizard length is thus reerred to as SVL(snout to vent length).

ReproductionTypically lizards are oviparous, that is they reproduce by laying eggsinto nests. Some species however, have other ways o reproducing.

Ovoviviparous: eggs are held inside the mother’s body until they arealmost ready to hatch. The developing embryos are nourished by theegg yolk.

Viviparous: the embryos develop within the mother’s body, who givesbirth to live young. Embryos may be partly nourished via the mother’splacenta.

Parthenogenesis: asexual reproduction (without the need o a malelizard).



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Lizards o the Mallee

More lizard species are ound in the Mallee than anywhere else inVictoria. These can be grouped into fve types: geckos, legless lizards,

skinks, dragons and monitor lizards/goannas.

Geckos (Families Gekkonidae, Diplodactylidae and Carphodactylidae)Geckos are small, sot, nocturnal lizards with large unblinkingeyes. As they do not have eyelids they use their tongue to lick theireyeballs clean. Some geckos can run along walls and ceilings usingmicroscopic hair-like projections on their fngertips to grip suraces.

Most geckos can discard their tails i threatened and regrow them.All species lay eggs, usually two per clutch.

Legless lizards (Family Pygopodidae)Legless lizards are endemic to Australia and New Guinea, meaningthey are not ound anywhere else in the world. Also known as‘ap-ooted lizards’ or ‘worm lizards’, legless lizards appear to be

limbless. They do, however, have hind limbs in the orm o small scalyaps. Like geckos, legless lizards usually lay two eggs per clutch.

Legless lizards are oten mistaken or snakes and killed; however,there are some important dierences between the two. Leglesslizards have a thick eshy tongue rather than a slender, orkedtongue. Some have obvious ear-openings which are not presenton snakes. The tail o a legless lizard is greater than 50 percent o itsbody length (whereas a snake’s tail is much less than 50 percento its body length). Legless lizards are not venomous.

Skinks (Family Scincidae)Skinks are the most abundant and diverse amily o all the Australianvertebrates (animals with backbones). They typically have our limbs,each with fve fngers and toes (although some species have

reduced limbs or toes), shiny overlapping body scales and eyelids.Some may have tails that can be discarded as a deence mechanism,and then regrown. They may lay eggs or give birth to live young.

Dragons (Family Agamidae)Dragons are medium sized lizards with small, non-glossy scales. Theirlimbs are well-developed, their digits have strong claws and their

tongue is broad and eshy.

Dragons in the Mallee do not have the ability to discard their tails asa deence mechanism, but may have a limited ability to repair theirtail i it is damaged. All dragons reproduce by laying eggs.

Monitor lizards/Goannas (Family Varanidae)

The term ‘monitor’ is used worldwide, while the term ‘goanna’ isstrictly Australian. They reer to the same amily o lizard. This guidewill use the term ‘goanna’.

Goannas are large lizards with powerul tails, strong claws and long,sharp teeth. They have a slender, orked tongue which they use toinvestigate crevices or prey. They are carnivorous, consuming almostanything, including dead animals.



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Male goannas will fght each other during the mating season.Female goannas lay eggs.

Habitats o lizards in the Mallee

Lizards in the Mallee occupy a wide range o habitats, rom semi-aridto wetter environments close to waterways. Some lizards dig theirown burrows or shelter, others shelter in soil cracks, logs andbranches, tree bark, rock crevices, vegetation such as spiniexor abandoned spider burrows. Many depend upon the specialised

habitat in which they live; others are more adaptable and can livealmost anywhere, including arming and urban environments.

Mallee woodlands and shrublandsMallee woodlands and shrublands are the dominant vegetationcommunities in the Mallee region. They are characterised by themallee tree, a type o eucalypt that has several slender trunks arising

rom a single large underground tuber called a ‘mallee root’. Thesewoodland/shrubland habitats have lots o open space between thetrees and shrubs, with an understorey o shrubs, grasses and herbs.

HeathlandsHeathlands occur on nutrient-poor, coarse, silicon-rich sand in theBig Desert. They may lack mallee eucalypts, and are insteaddominated by banksia, tea-tree, she-oak, hakea and myrtle species.The understorey is oten dense low shrubs, sedges and grasses.

Photo: Parks Victoria



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Riparian orests, woodlands and shrublandsRiparian orests, woodlands and shrublands occur along rivers,oodplains, wetlands and creeks. They are dominated by eitherRiver Red Gum (orests), Black Box (woodlands) or Tangled Lignum

(shrublands). Floodwater is needed to stimulate the regenerationo these orests, woodlands and shrublands.

Semi-arid non-eucalypt woodlandsSemi-arid non-eucalypt woodlands are dominated by SlenderCypress-pine, White Cypress-pine, Buloke, Belah or Sugarwood.Tall shrubs such as Slender Hop-bush, Umbrella Wattle, SweetQuandong and Cattle Bush grow between the trees while native

herbs and spear grasses cover the ground layer.

Within these types o woodlands, Buloke woodlands are particularlyimportant as they are listed as ‘endangered’ under the Commonwealth

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct). Once widespread, Buloke woodlands are now ragmented andhighly degraded.



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Chenopod shrublands and plains grasslandsThese vegetation communities are devoid o trees. They are insteaddominated by shrubs such as Saltbush and Bluebush (chenopodshrublands) or tussock grasses and perennial herbs (plains grasslands).

Conservation status o lizards

O the Mallee lizards, the Beaked Gecko, Mallee Worm-lizard,Samphire Skink, Dwar Burrowing Skink, Heath Skink, MillewaSkink, Hooded Scaly-oot, Lined Earless Dragon and Rosenberg’sGoanna are all threatened and under the Victorian Flora and FaunaGuarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).

The Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria 2013 has also raised conservation concern or the ollowing species:• ‘criticallyendangered’-BeakedGecko,HeathSkink,Hooded

Scaly-oot, Lined Earless Dragon, Millewa Skink and SaltbushStriped Skink;

• ‘endangered’-DwarfBurrowingSkink,Rosenberg’sGoanna,

Lace Monitor and Samphire Skink; and• ‘vulnerable’-MalleeWorm-lizard.

Threats to lizards

Habitat depletion

The Mallee landscape has been extensively cleared o native vegetation.Worst aected are the vegetation communities that grow on moreertile land and/or which contain species that were used or timberharvesting. Approximately 53 percent o vegetation in the Malleeregion has been cleared or agriculture, urban development, timberand mining.

As a result o this clearing, a number o vegetation communities arenow quite severely depleted, ragmented or degraded. These includeBuloke woodlands, Belah woodlands, woorinen mallee, ridgedplains mallee, parilla mallee and plains savannah.



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Habitat degradationRabbits can degrade lizard habitat by intensively grazing the grassesthat provide lizards with shelter and protection. Cattle, eral pigs andgoats can trample lizard burrows and cause soil compaction and

erosion. Burrow disturbance and destruction can also occur as aresult o motorbikes and our wheel drives driving o track. Collectiono frewood rom bushland and the introduction o noxious weedscan also reduce habitat opportunities or some lizards.

PredationIntroduced predators such as eral cats, pigs and oxes can put

pressure on lizard populations.

Changed fre regimesFires are a dominant part o the Mallee landscape and are a majoractor in determining the nature and distribution o vegetation. Fireregimes have changed since European settlement with alterationsto fre requency, intensity, timing and extent.

As with other Mallee wildlie, lizard response to fre oten dependson the changes to vegetation structure (which provides them withood, shelter and breeding grounds). Lea litter, spiniex cover and treebark are all aected by fre, and all recover in diering timerames.This variability is important or providing a variety o lizard habitattypes, and thus lizard diversity.

What can you do you help?

The Mallee CMA encourages land owners and all communitymembers to help protect Mallee lizards by:• Controllingpestplantstopreventweedinvasionintoknownhabitat;

• Controllingpestanimalssuchasfoxes,feralcatsandrabbits;• Minimisingsoildisturbancebystayingonexistingtracksandroads;• Reducingtheimpactofgrazingbyfencingoffpatchesofremnant

vegetation;• Retainingfallenbranches,leaflitterandtwigsinnatural

environments;• Reducingtheuseofinsecticidesandpesticidesinsensitiveareas;

and• Minimisingtheriskofreescapingontopublicland.



Index

Geckos 8 - 16

Legless Lizards 17 - 24

Skinks 25 - 46

Dragons 47 - 52

Goannas 53 - 55

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DescriptionBody grey or pinkish-brown with dark lines in marbled, netted orzigzag patterns. Pattern on tail is similar, with irregular orange-

brown blotches oten present. SVL: 55 mm.

Where you’ll see themIn Red Gum areas and throughout the southern Mallee in manyvaried habitats including heathlands, woodlands and disturbedland. Oten ound under tree bark, in lea litter and under rocks,logs and rubbish.

BreedingCommonly ound in groups with one male among up to 10 emales.They oten use a communal nest in which emales will lay twoeggs each.

Feeding

Marbled Geckos eed on a wide range o invertebrates includingspiders and crickets.

Quirky actCan ‘drop’, or discard, their tail when threatened to conusetheir predator and aid in escape. It takes eight months or thetail to regenerate, although this can depend on ood availability.

Photo Peter Robertson

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Marbled GeckoChristinus marmoratus



DescriptionBody pinkish-brown with a pale zigzag stripe with darker edgesalong the back. Belly is white. SVL: 55 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee Region, preerring sandy soilswith spiniex, but also ound in mallee woodlands. They shelterin burrows that they make themselves or are abandoned romother lizards and spiders.

BreedingFemales lay two eggs, with young emerging in late February.

FeedingFeeds on small invertebrates such as spiders, cockroaches andcrickets.

Interesting actMales are territorial; they bite, wave their tail and ‘cry out’ todeend their ground.

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Photo Michael Williams, IT’S A WILDLIFE

Beaded Gecko Lucasium damaeum



DescriptionBody grey or brown with a pale zigzagging stripe along back andextending orward onto head. The tail is short and thick with a

series o pale blotches. SVL: 50 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee Region in open shrublands andwoodlands. Not located along Murray River oodplains. They arenocturnal, retreating in burrows during the day and coming outat night.

BreedingWill share a communal nest site with up to 10 emales, witheach emale laying two eggs.

FeedingFeeds on small invertebrates such as spiders, crickets and

cockroaches.

Quirky actWhen threatened, this gecko will open its mouth and raise bodyhigh o the ground.

Photo Arthur Rylah Institute or Environmental Research

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Wood Gecko Diplodactylus vittatus



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DescriptionBody various shades o grey to brown with dark bars separatingpale blotches. The side o the head has two or three darker lines

rom the snout to the neck. All digits except the inner one oeach oot are clawed. SVL: 54 mm.

Where you’ll see themWithin woodlands and shrublands o the northern Mallee,including Sunset Country and Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.An arboreal species (tree dwelling), the Tree Dtella depends on

heat exchange with the bark to maintain its body temperature.

BreedingMales are territorial, living with several emales. Females sharea communal nest and lay one egg with a gestation o two months.Tree Dtellas live or fve years, maturing at three years.

FeedingFeeds on invertebrates such as beetles, spiders and termites.

Quirky actEmits a shrill squeak when threatened.

Photo Marcia Riederer

Tree DtellaGehyra variegata



DescriptionSlender and long-tailed, this gecko varies in body colour romyellow-brown, red-brown to grey-brown, with scattered dark

and pale spots or bands. Each digit is clawed. SVL: 54 mm.

Where you’ll see themIn the Mallee region they are ound within and north oMurray-Sunset National Park. Uses almost any sort o groundcover such as logs, termite mounds and rubbish or shelter.

BreedingFemales lay two eggs during the summer in nests made underrocks or inside logs and burrows.

FeedingFeeds on invertebrates such as insects, spiders and scorpions.

Distinguishing actAlso known as the Prickly Gecko due to its spine-like scales.


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Bynoe’s Gecko Heteronotia binoei



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DescriptionSlender body is pink-brown in colour, with light and dark blotches.Tail is broad. Snout is ‘beak-like’ and eyes are rimmed in white.

SVL: 54 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in Belah woodland, chenopod shrubland or Black Boxwoodland. Widespread in Australia, however is limited to a ewlocations in the northern Mallee. The Beaked Gecko shelters indisused spider holes, staying within 30 metres o entrance at

all times.

BreedingFemale lays two leathery eggs.

FeedingForages on the ground between vegetation, particularly likes to

eed on termites.

Interesting actFemales are larger than the males and mature earlier at oneyear old.


Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura spp.



DescriptionBody colour grey with darker speckles orming zigzagging linesrom head to tail. Short cone-shaped spines are arranged in two

rows down the body and in rings on tail. The eyes are rimmedwith bright orange. SVL: 64 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in mallee woodlands and shrublands. Recorded living intrees where they shelter under tree bark, and in spiniex.

BreedingFemales mature at two years and lay two eggs during thesummer. Eggs take around 45 days to hatch.

FeedingFeeds on insects and spiders.

Quirky actCan squirt an irritant uid rom their tails to deter predatorssuch as birds.


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Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko Strophurus intermedius



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DescriptionLarge gecko with a thick carrot-shaped tail. Body colour variablerom pink to dark purplish brown, with many white or yellow

spots. SVL: 96 mm.

Where you’ll see themWidespread in the Mallee, in woodlands and chenopod shrublands,they shelter in sel-excavated burrows or in rabbit warrens.

Breeding

Females lay two eggs in summer, sometimes in a communal nest.

FeedingFeeds on a variety o invertebrates as well as other small lizards.They lick their eyes ater eating to keep clean.

Quirky act

When threatened, they lunge at their predator and create a loud‘barking’ deensive call, which gives them their alternate commonname ‘Barking Gecko’.


Thick-tailed GeckoUnderwoodisaurus milii



DescriptionA robust gecko with a short, broad tail. Body colour pale grey,with a variable pattern o darker mottling. Darker blotches are

usually present on belly. SVL: 50 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound along the Murray River oodplain, it shelters in hollowallen branches, soil cracks and insect or spider holes.

Breeding

Females lay sot, parchment-shelled eggs.

FeedingFeeds on arthropods such as insects, spiders and scorpions.

Quirky actTessellated Geckos have slightly enlarged, padded toes.


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Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus



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DescriptionBody colour pale brown, with sides ushed with grey and tailushed with pink. Each scale marked with a dark slash creating

lines along the length o the lizard, especially on the tail.SVL: 110 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in the sandy soils o mallee woodlands and spiniex. Limiteddistribution in the eastern and northern Big Desert. Sheltersunderground, oten in ant galleries. Once ound in areas now

used or agriculture.

BreedingFemales lay two eggs.

FeedingFeeds mainly on ant larvae and pupae.

Interesting actThe Mallee Worm-lizard is the only worm-lizard o 12 in Australiathat has an ear opening, however this opening is almostcompletely covered by a scale.


Mallee Worm-lizard Aprasia aurita



DescriptionAlso known as the ‘Red-tailed Worm-lizard’, body colour is paleyellowish brown or greyish brown, with bright orange on the tip

o tail and a snout ushed with pink or orange. SVL: 136 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in semi-arid mallee woodlands on sandy soils. In theMallee region, they are not ound north o Murray-Sunset andHattah-Kulkyne National Parks. They shelter underground andare active during the day.

BreedingFemales lays two eggs in spring.

FeedingFeeds predominantly on ant eggs.

Quirky actWill raise brightly coloured tail when threatened.


Pink-nosed Worm-lizard Aprasia inaurita

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DescriptionBody colour is greyish brown. Head black on top with blackstripes down the side o head and neck. Tail is two and a hal

times the length o the body. SVL: 88 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region. Found in malleewoodlands sheltered in dense low vegetation such as spiniexand tussock grass, as well as in lea litter.

BreedingFemales lay two eggs in early summer, which hatch in 70 days.

FeedingDiet consists o invertebrates including spiders and cockroaches.

Quirky act

When threatened, legless lizards thrust their body orward whilemaking squeaking noises.


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Southern Legless Lizard Delma australis



DescriptionBody dark brown in colour. Belly is known to change colourbetween white and yellow. SVL: 96 mm.

Where you’ll see themThe Butler’s Legless Lizard is endemic to the Mallee, meaning itdoes not live anywhere else. Found scattered throughout malleewoodlands where it shelters exclusively in spiniex. It does not livenorth o Murray-Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne National Parks.

BreedingFemales breed in spring, with eggs recorded over summer

FeedingEats a variety o insects.

Interesting act

Legless lizards have well-developed hind-limb aps, evidence othe historical presence o legs.


Butler’s Legless Lizard Delma butleri

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DescriptionA slender legless lizard with a tail up to our times the length oits body. Body colour medium olive-brown, usually with darker

edged scales. SVL: 133 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in grasslands and grassy woodlands.

BreedingFemales lay eggs.

FeedingFeed on small invertebrates, mainly insects.

Fascinating actWithin grasses, the Olive Legless Lizard moves very easily,graceully weaving without touching the ground. On open

ground they move with a series o wiggling leaps.


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Olive Legless Lizard Delma inornata



DescriptionBody colour and pattern varies considerably, rom plain light greyto brown and grey stripes or lines o spots. Pointed snout and a

vertical black line in the pupils. SVL: 290 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered across the Mallee in varied habitat including malleewoodlands, heathlands and grasslands.

Breeding

Nest is a scrape in the ground, sometimes containing a ewsticks or twigs.

FeedingCommunal living and nests have been documented.

Fascinating act

This legless-lizard will grip its prey until suocated, then swallowit head-frst. The head is uniquely hinged to enable this action.


Burton’s Snake-lizard Lialis burtonis

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DescriptionBody either plain grey or elaborately patterned with three rows oalternating dashes in orange and black and checker-patterned

sides. SVL: 274 mm

Where you’ll see themScattered across the Mallee in varied habitat including malleewoodlands and heathlands. Shelter in low vegetation such asspiniex.

BreedingFemales are heavier than males and lay two eggs rom Octoberto December, sometimes in a communal nest. Eggs hatch ater70 days.

FeedingFeed on spiders (which they prey upon within their burrows) and

other invertebrates.

Quirky actWhen threatened, the Common Scaly-oot ashes its thickeshy tongue.


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Common Scaly-oot Pygopus lepidopodus



DescriptionA large legless lizard with a dark head, rounded snout andprominent ear openings. Looks similar to a snake, however the

Hooded Scaly-oot has a broad, at tongue. Females grow largerthan males. SVL: 198 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in open vegetation communities on heavy soils, such aschenopod scrublands and grasslands, where it shelters in soilcracks and invertebrate burrows. It is most active during the night

(nocturnal), and is thought to become inactive during the winter.In the Mallee region, populations are extremely limited. Has beenspotted in the north o the region.

BreedingFemales lay a clutch o two eggs once a year, during summer.

FeedingFeed on arthropods, including spiders and scorpions.

Quirky actWhen threatened, they rear and ick their eshy tongues tomimic venomous snakes. Will utter a long wheezing squeak igrasped, and will readily discard their tails.


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Hooded Scaly-oot Pygopus schraderi



DescriptionBody grey-brown in colour with a pale line extending rom eacheye to the base o the tail. Light and dark ecks scattered all

over body and tail. SVL: 40 mm.

Where you’ll see themIn the Mallee region, populations are scattered around the northand east borders. Mostly an arboreal skink (living in trees), it isalso ound in allen logs and old wooden ences, humanstructures and rocks.

BreedingFemales lay two eggs.

FeedingFeeds on invertebrates including spiders.

Quirky actThis skink loves vertical aces o rocks, trees, buildings andences. They are happy to orage on these exposed suraces.


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Ragged Snake-eyed SkinkCryptoblepharus pannosus



DescriptionBody brown to grey with a well-defned black stripe along lengtho back ending abruptly at the base o the broad tail. Head and

limbs have no pattern. SVL: 83 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered across the mid and lower Mallee region, ound insemi-arid, sandy areas with mallee woodlands and spiniex.

Breeding

Females lay eggs.

FeedingFeeds upon a variety o invertebrates.

Interesting actThe Ctenotus genus is the largest reptile genus in Australia,

with 102 species.


Murray Striped SkinkCtenotus brachyonyx

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DescriptionLight coloured body with fve black lines down the back. Sideso the body are black with pale patches. SVL: 50 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in mallee woodlands with spiniex grass and sandy soils.They dig burrows under vegetation. Populations within the Malleeregion are mostly located in the Big Desert Wilderness Park,Wypereld National Park and Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.

BreedingFemales lay one to three eggs in summer.

FeedingFeeds on insect pupae and eggs, spiders, beetles and bugs.


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Eyrean Striped SkinkCtenotus taeniatus



DescriptionBody has light and dark brown stripes along length o back,Sides are dark brown with cream spots. A thin cream stripe

extends rom just above the eye to the base o the tail. Tail is lightbrown on top with darker mottling on the sides. Fourth digits onthe hind limbs are particularly long. SVL: 69 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in shrublands with heavy soils. In the Mallee region, it isound at Ned’s Corner on the northern oodplain.


FeedingFeeds on invertebrates.

Interesting actThe Saltbush Striped Skink was only discovered in Victoria in 1986.


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Saltbush Striped SkinkCtenotus olympicus



DescriptionBody pale grey with a pattern o stripes and spots in black ordark-brown. Pattern on sides becomes more pale. Tail red-brown

in colour. SVL: 82 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region in low open shrubland,and on more compact sand or soil. Shelters in burrows belowvegetation.

BreedingFemales lay eggs in late spring.

FeedingFeeds on insects, centipedes, spiders and a little vegetation.

Helpul act

May be difcult to distinguish rom the Saltbush Striped Skink.


Eastern Striped SkinkCtenotus orientalis

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DescriptionBody has a complex pattern o stripes and spots, in pale,dark-brown and red-brown colours. Has a prominent white

stripe down orearms. SVL: 73 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the northern Mallee region, on sandy redsoils supporting open woodlands, shrublands with spiniex, orchenopod shrublands. Shelters in burrows ound under vegetation.

BreedingFemales lay two to our eggs in spring.

FeedingActively orages around ground vegetation, eeding on insects,centipedes, spiders, leaves and berries.

Interesting actHybrids with the Saltbush Striped Skink have been recorded.


Regal Striped SkinkCtenotus regius

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DescriptionA large skink with a pointed head. Body has a complex patterno stripes and spots in various shades o brown. SVL: 123 mm.

Where you’ll see themDistributed in the south o the Mallee, including the Big DesertWilderness Park and Wypereld National Park, ound in mosthabitat types including open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands,sandy areas with spiniex and rocky outcrops.

BreedingFemales lay between three and seven eggs which they bury inthe soil. Young emerge in late summer and mature within 12months.

FeedingForages between ground cover on insects, spiders, leaves and

berries.

Interesting actThe Large Striped Skink is a common tasty treat or the EasternBrown Snake.


Large Striped SkinkCtenotus robustus

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DescriptionA robust body with a blunt head and smooth scales. Backlight-brown to red-brown, with white sides. The ourth toe is

much longer than the third. SVL: 84 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered in mallee vegetation, along ridges and dunes withhard-packed sand and spiniex. Excavates a substantial burrow,around 50 to 70 cm long, usually with a single entrance. In theMallee region, they are ound throughout the sandy areas o

Murray-Sunset and Hattah-Hulkyne National Parks, and in thenorth o Big Desert Wilderness park.

BreedingFemales give birth to up to our live young. Maturity is reachedat three to our years and liespan is eight to 10 years.

FeedingForage on the ground, eeding on invertebrates.

Interesting actActive at night (nocturnal) and at dawn/dusk (crepuscular).


Desert Skink Liopholis inornata

32



DescriptionA robust body with a blunt head and smooth scales. Bodygrey-brown with black stripes enclosing pale spots down length

o back, disappearing near top o tail. The ourth toe is muchlonger than the third. SVL: 96 mm.

Where you’ll see themIn Victoria, ound only in the sandy heathland areas o thesouthern Big Desert and Wypereld National Park. They excavatemulti-entranced tunnel systems (or warrens) beneath ground

vegetation, along the upper slopes o large dunes.

BreedingFemales give birth to live young. Maturity is reached at three toour years and liespan is eight to 10 years.

Feeding

Feeds on insects and other invertebrates, as well as some plantmaterial.

Interesting actThe Heath Skink was frst discovered in Victoria in 1980 withinsand dunes o the Big Desert.


Heath Skink Liopholis multiscutata

33



DescriptionBody brown with a dark orange stripe down back. Pale grey onsides. Ear-opening is absent, instead represented by a depression.

An elongated skink, with small limbs, each with fve toes.SVL: 58 mm.

Where you’ll see themRestricted in the Mallee region to the ar western edge and thear eastern corner o Murray-Sunset National Park, where it sheltersin spiniex o the mallee woodlands. It relies on large spiniex

hummocks and lea litter, and has not been recorded in recentlyburnt areas.

BreedingFemales give birth to one or two live young in late summer.

Feeding

Feed on the invertebrates it fnds in spiniex.

Interesting actThe Millewa Skink was frst recorded in Victoria in 1973 romthe ar western edge o Murray-Sunset National Park.


Millewa Skink Hemiergis millewae

34



DescriptionBody silvery-grey to light brown, with a broad black stripe downside rom the eye to the base o the tail. Tail underside ushed

with yellow or red. It has small limbs (each with fve toes) andas such moves in a snake-like manner. SVL: 70 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region in areas sandy, or loosesoil. Shelters in soil beneath rocks and logs and in lea litter. Canbe ound beneath debris and mounds o rubbish.



Interesting actThe most southern species within the genus.


Bougainville’s Skink Lerista bougainvillii

35



DescriptionBody and tail is pinkish-brown and each scale has a black mark,aligning lengthways down body and tail. Limbs are very short

and widely spaced. They have only one digit on their orelimbsand two on their hind limbs. SVL: 100 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region in semi-arid woodlands,heathlands, grasslands, mallee woodlands, chenopod shrublandsand disturbed habitats.

BreedingFemales typically lay two eggs in late spring or early summer.

FeedingFeeds on a large range o invertebrates.

Quirky actTheir reduced limbs help them to burrow and ‘swim’ throughthe soil. They move in a snake-like manner.


Spotted Burrowing Skink Lerista punctatovittata

36



DescriptionElongated skink with very small limbs, each with three toes.Body colour brown to olive. SVL: 50 mm.

Where you’ll see themThis lizard burrows underground beneath debris in dry woodlandand shrubland communities. In the Mallee region, known onlyrom the Merbein, Mildura, and Redclis areas.

Breeding

Females lay eggs.



Dwar Burrowing Skink Lerista timida

37



DescriptionBody colour grey to brownish-grey with a broad black stripedown side o lizard rom the eye to mid-tail. Underside

is pale. Has our fngers and fve toes. SVL: 38 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee in semi-arid woodlands,heathlands, grasslands, chenopod shrublands, mallee woodlandswith spiniex and disturbed habitats.

BreedingA mature male in breeding will have a yellow ush on its bellyand a pink ush on its throat. Females lay eggs.

FeedingThey orage close to vegetation on a large variety o invertebrates.

Distinguishing actThis is Victoria’s smallest lizard.


Grey’s Skink Menetia greyii

38



DescriptionBody colour grey, olive-grey to brown, with dark dashes ormingtwo broken lines along back. Pale underneath. SVL: 53 mm.

Where you’ll see themWithin the Mallee region, they are ound in samphire shrublands,oten near salty areas. They shuttle between bushes and underdebris.

Breeding

Females lay one to six eggs in late spring or early summer.Males are ushed with orange on their chin, chest, limbs andtail during the breeding season.

FeedingFeed on a variety o invertebrates.

Interesting actLike most lizards, Samphire Skinks love the sun, which givesthem energy or activity.


Samphire Skink Morethia adelaidensis

39



DescriptionBody grey to copper-brown, with a broad black side stripe anda lighter stripe below. Underside is white. SVL: 50 mm.

Where you’ll see themWidespread in the Mallee region, ound in woodlands as wellas arm lands and other disturbed areas. Boulenger’s Skinks areound mainly in areas with heavy soils. They shuttle betweenbushes and under debris.

BreedingFemales lay one to six eggs in late spring or early summer.Mature males are ushed with red-orange on their chin andthroat during the breeding season.

FeedingFeed on a variety o invertebrates.


Boulenger’s Skink Morethia boulengeri

40



DescriptionBody pale grey to olive-grey, with dark and light scattered specksand a weak stripe down its side. SVL: 56 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered in the Mallee on sandy soils in woodlands, heathlandsand shrublands.

BreedingFemales lay one to fve eggs in late spring or early summer.

Males are ushed with red on their chin and throat during thebreeding season.

FeedingFeeds on a variety o invertebrates.


Obscure Skink Morethia obscura

41



DescriptionA relatively at skink, grey in colour, darker on the sides. Upperlips white to pale grey. SVL: 119 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound along the Murray River oodplain. Shelters beneath loosebark o trees and in tree hollows.

BreedingFemales give birth to live young.

FeedingOmnivorous, eating a combination o vegetation andinvertebrates.

Fascinating actOten live communally in amily groups.


Tree Skink Egernia striolata

42



DescriptionA glossy, medium sized skink. Body colour copper-brown togolden-brown with irregular black ecks. It has black stripe along

the side o its body enclosing a ew light ecks and grey loweranks with dark ecks. SVL: 95 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in moist, riverine habitats along the Murray River. Otenseen basking in the sun.

BreedingEastern Water Skinks mate in spring with emales giving birthto up to nine live young in summer.

FeedingFeed on arthropods such as spiders and scorpions.

Interesting actThis skink will readily take to the water i disturbed.


Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii

43



DescriptionLong, thick body with smooth scales, and a dark blue eshytongue. Body light to dark brown, and ushed with orange.

Body pattern variable, but typically has six to nine dark mottledbands on body and seven to ten bands on the tail. SVL: 310 mm.

Where you’ll see themOnly in the extreme southeast o the Mallee region, in grasslandand shrubland habitats.

BreedingFemales give birth to up to 25 young.

FeedingFeeds on owers, ruits, oliage, spiders, snails, eggs andinvertebrates.

Quirky actWhen threatened, the lizard will inate its body, hiss and pokeout its at blue tongue.


Common Blue-tongued LizardTiliqua scincoides

44



DescriptionA large lizard with a broad, triangular head. Body colour yellow-brown with our to six broad dark bands across body and around

tail. A dark thick stripe runs rom the eye to the ear. Has a broad,eshy tongue. SVL: 320 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in mallee woodlands, heathlands and sometimes in disturbedhabitats. Thought to be widespread in the Mallee region but theyare inrequently encountered. Forage on the ground and bask in

the morning sun. Shelters in burrows and beneath spiniex.

BreedingFemales give birth to our to 10 live young in mid summer. The youngeat the placental membrane immediately ater birth.

Feeding

Feeds on vegetation and invertebrates. Its jaw is very powerul,allowing it to crush the hard protective coverings o invertebratessuch as cockroaches.

Quirky actWhen threatened, the Western Blue-tongued Lizard will open itsmouth to extend its blue tongue and hiss.


Western Blue-tongued LizardTiliqua occipitalis

45



DescriptionBody is thick, head is broad and triangular, tail is short and thick,and the scales are large. Body colour varies rom dark-brown

to black, irregularly ecked with lighter colours. Underside palewith dark bands. Broad, eshy blue tongue. SVL: 310 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region, in disturbed habitats,roadside verges, open woodlands and heathlands.

BreedingStumpy-tail Lizards are monogamous (mating with the samepartner or lie). Mating occurs in spring and the males guardtheir partner very closely rom other males. Females give birth toone to three live young in late summer o early autumn.

Feeding

Feeds on owers and other eshy vegetation, and some invertebrates.

Interesting actIts tail contains at stores, which are drawn upon or reproductionor during dormancy in winter.


Stumpy-tailed LizardTiliqua rugosa

46



DescriptionThis dragon has fve lengths o spines running rom its head tothe base o its tail, as well as an arc o spines behind the ear.

Body colour pale to dark grey with broad stripes or blotches inwhite or yellow to orange-brown. Mouth interior pink. Exposedear openings. SVL: 84 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in Mallee woodlands, where it is oten seen basking onlogs and small trees.

BreedingBreeding males are ushed with salmon pink on sides and tailwith two bright yellow stripes on the back. Females lay betweensix and eight eggs.

Feeding

Feeds on termites, grasshoppers and other invertebrates.

Amazing actAble to run on two legs.


47

Nobbi Dragon Amphibolurus nobbi



DescriptionThis dragon has fve lengths o spines running rom its head tothe base o its tail, plus scattered spines on the thighs. Body

colour grey with a dark stripe rom snout through eye to the ear.Bands along length o tail. Mouth interior yellow. Exposed earopenings. SVL: 115 mm.

Where you’ll see themFound in Mallee woodlands and heathlands, especially wherethere are Cypress Pines. In the Mallee region, Norris’s Dragonsare restricted to the Big Desert Wilderness Park and WypereldNational Park.

BreedingMales fght each other during the spring mating season. Femaleslay three to eight eggs in November and bury them in soil coveredin lea litter. Eggs hatch ater 80 days and mature in 12 months.

FeedingFeeds on ants, grasshoppers, beetles, other insects and berries.Have also been reported as eating owers and skinks as well.

Fascinating actLike many other lizards, the Norris’s Dragon is very shy and will retreatup a tree when approached too closely. It can run on two legs.


Norris’s Dragon Amphibolurus norrisi

48



DescriptionA small dragon with red-brown to grey-brown body colour withprominent stripes and blotches. The throat o a male has dark

markings. Underside is white. SVL: 58 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region, most requently inmallee woodlands with spiniex. They are not ound north o theMurray-Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne National Parks.

BreedingMales are territorial and mate in spring. Females lay two orthree eggs up to three times a season. Eggs hatch ater 50-70days.

FeedingFeeds on insects, especially ants.

Interesting actMallee Dragons have a short liespan o 12-18 months.


49

Mallee DragonCtenophorus fordi



DescriptionHas a small ridge o scales along its back. Males are blue-greywith a dark stripe down the ridge o their back, surrounded by

a pattern o light and dark bars across their back. Its head isushed with orange to brown. Female body patterns similarbut with duller colours. SVL: 65 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region in a variety o habitatareas. Common around salt lakes and in white sand areas o

Mallee heathland communities.

BreedingWhen breeding, males are ushed with bright blue, red, yellowor orange. Females lay two to fve eggs in summer.

Feeding

Feeds on insects, especially ants.

Interesting actBecome dormant over winter, retreating to a sealed burrow.


Painted DragonCtenophorus pictus

50



DescriptionBody covered in spines, which are especially prominent acrossthe throat and down the sides. Body colour grey to dark orange.

Mouth interior yellow. SVL: 250 mm.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region, in mallee and chenopodwoodlands, heathlands and roadside verges. Oten seen baskingon ences or logs.

BreedingFemales lay seven to 50 eggs in late spring or early summer.

FeedingFeeds on vegetation and insects.

Quirky act

When threatened, the Central Bearded Dragon’s throat expands.It bobs its head to show dominance or waves its hand toindicate submission.


51

Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps



DescriptionBody is wide and is grey-brown, yellow-brown or red-brown incolour. Body pattern made up o white stripes along length o

body and dark bars across the body. SVL: 58 mm.

Where you’ll see themOnly known at a handul o sites in the Victorian Mallee, includingLake Tyrrell. Found in chenopod shrublands and in opengrasslands. Seen perched on logs or mounds, basking in the sun.

BreedingFemales lay up to our eggs at a time, in sandy burrows orprotection.

FeedingFeeds on insects such as ants and other invertebrates.

Quirky FactUnlike other dragons, Lined Earless Dragons’ external earopenings are absent.


Lined Earless DragonTympanocryptis lineata

52



DescriptionA large lizard with a long, vertically compressed tail, and a orkedtongue similar to a snake’s. Body colour grey to dark-brown with

red, brown, yellow or white blotches that orm bands acrossbody. Tail has coloured bands down length o it. Total size to tipo tail 1.6 m long, but usually smaller.

Where you’ll see themScattered throughout the Mallee region in mallee heathlandsand grasslands. Found also on armlands. Will ee rapidly i

approached too closely.

BreedingFemales dig a chamber to lay three to 10 eggs. Also known touse termite mounds. Eggs hatch ater 170 – 260 days.

Feeding

Actively orages in holes, crevices and logs, eeding on a variety olizards, snakes, rogs, invertebrates, small mammals and birds.

Amazing actThe Sand Goanna is the most widespread goanna in Australia.They dig complex tunnels that oten extend into the burrows oother animals.


53

Sand GoannaVaranus gouldii



DescriptionA powerul, very large lizard with strong clawed eet and a deep,orked tongue. Tail is attened along its sides, and the head is

long, slender and pointed. Body colour dark grey to blue-blackwith scattered cream spots orming bands across body and tail.Total length: up to 2 metres.

Where you’ll see themFound in woodlands and along the Murray River oodplain.They are arboreal (shelter in trees).

BreedingFemales lay eggs within termite mounds ound in trees or onland.

FeedingForages widely or prey. They will raid picnic and camping

grounds, as well as poultry and egg arms.

Distinguishing actAlso known as Lace Monitor, the Tree Goanna is the largestlizard in Victoria.


Tree GoannaVaranus varius

54



DescriptionA large lizard with a long neck, narrow snout and a tail withattened sides. Body colour is dark grey to black, with yellow

spots orming distinct bands across body. Tail is yellow with darkbands, and limbs are dark with yellow spots. They have strongclaws and a deeply orked tongue. Total length: 1.3 m.

Where you’ll see themIn the Mallee region, isolated populations are ound in the BigDesert Wilderness Park in mallee woodland and heathland

vegetation communities. A terrestrial goanna, the Rosenberg’sGoanna excavates its own burrow under low vegetation.

BreedingMates in late spring/early summer and emales lay six to 12eggs, using termite mounds as nests.

FeedingForages widely within its established home range upon lizards,snakes, rodents and invertebrates.

Distinguishing actAlso known as Heath Monitor. The yellow markings vary incolour intensity rom bright in juveniles to pale in some adults.


55

Rosenberg’s GoannaVaranus rosenbergii



Notes



References and Further Reading

Animal Planet, 2012, Lizard, AnimalPlanet.com accessed rom

http://animals.howstuworks.com/reptiles/lizard-ino.htm

on 30 November 2012.

Australian Government – Department o Sustainability, Environment, Water,

Populations and Communities website, Conservation o Australia’s Biodiversity

ound at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/index.html.

La Trobe University & Deakin University, November 2010, Fire and Wildlife in

the Mallee: Insights for Conservation and Management .

Mallee CMA, 2012, Mallee Ecology Manual 2012 , Mallee CMA, Mildura.

Robertson, P. 2006, Field Studies of the Threatened Heath Skink (Egernia

multiscutata) 2005-2006 , prepared or the Department o Sustainability and

Environment and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Wildlie

Proles Pty. Ltd. Heidelberg, Victoria.

Robertson, P. 2006, Field Studies of the Threatened Lined Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis lineata) 2005-2006 , prepared or the Department o

Sustainability and Environment and the Mallee Catchment Management

Authority, Wildlie Proles Pty. Ltd. Heidelberg, Victoria.

Robertson, P. 2006, Field Studies of the Threatened Mallee Worm-lizard

(Aprasia aurita) 2005-2006 , prepared or the Department o Sustainability

and Environment and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Wildlie

Proles Pty. Ltd. Heidelberg, Victoria.

Swan, M. & Watharow, S. 2005, Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian

Mallee, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Victorian Department o Sustainability and Environment, 2013, Advisory List of

Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2013 , Department o Sustainability

and Environment, East Melbourne.

Wilson, S. & Swan, G. 2010, A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia (third

edition), New Holland Publishers, Sydney.



The Mallee Catchment Management Authority’sprimary responsibility is to ensure that natural

resources in the region are managed in anintegrated and ecologically sustainable way.

The Authority works with the community anddelivery partners to maintain and improve thehealth o natural habitats, fora and auna in theVictorian Mallee. This is achieved by a wide range

o management activities such as pest control,track rationalisation, revegetation works and byoering landowner incentives or similar activities.

For more inormation please contact:

Mallee Catchment Management Authority

Corner Eleventh Street & Koorlong AvenueIrymple Victoria 3498PO Box 5017 Mildura Victoria 3502Telephone 03 5051 4377

www.malleecma.vic.gov.au

mallee lizards field guide

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