Given I've been enjoying some recent posts here I think it's about time I share as well. I moved from Melbourne to Adelaide for study and since moving I've had a whole new suite of animals to find. In this thread I'll post a series of short trips over the next week or so, so keep an eye on this thread for the future installments.
First up is a few shots from near Burra, a few hours north of Adelaide and home to the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue (featured on one of Attenboroughs reptile docos). Although they're similar to other Tiliqua species in appearance they have a very different ecology compared to their larger cousins. They occur in native grasslands where they live in old spider burrows and ambush any small animals that wonder too close to the entrance.
A juvenile, no more than 5cm in length. The young often stay in the mothers burrow for a few months, alternatively the mother will often move out leaving the young to stay in her old burrow. This species typically has 2-3 young each season.
An adult basking in the burrow entrance.
In typical ambush position at the burrow entrance.
Other grassland species such as this legless lizard, Delma molleri can be found at the site.
Another legless lizard, Aprasia pseudopulchella, are common in the grasslands in the cooler weather. These guys are pretty small and feed on ant and termite larvae and eggs.
Gehyra lazelli occur in the valleys were it's a bit more rocky (sorry I forgot to get habitat shots!). These two individuals were quite different, the less patterned individual is likely to be an un-described species.
Another inhabitant of the rocky areas is Ctenophorus decresii a common species in South Australia around Adelaide as well.
Juvenile
Coloured up adult male.
Morethia adelaidensis were common around the field house we stayed in.
And of course Lerista bougainvillii, the most cold tolerant Lerista, with a range that extends down to Melbourne. The juveniles often have bright red/orange tails that fade with age.
Near the grasslands there is a variety of other habitats including chenopod shrublands and mallee where I found the following:
Lerista punctatovittata
Diplodactylus furcosus
Tiliqua rugosa (the area is a bit of a Tiliqua mecca, with rugosa, occipitalis, scincoides and adelaidensis all occuring within 20kms from each other)
Spiney Cheeked Honey-eaters were common
Crinia signifera
White Eared Honey-eater
and Galah...
First up is a few shots from near Burra, a few hours north of Adelaide and home to the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue (featured on one of Attenboroughs reptile docos). Although they're similar to other Tiliqua species in appearance they have a very different ecology compared to their larger cousins. They occur in native grasslands where they live in old spider burrows and ambush any small animals that wonder too close to the entrance.
A juvenile, no more than 5cm in length. The young often stay in the mothers burrow for a few months, alternatively the mother will often move out leaving the young to stay in her old burrow. This species typically has 2-3 young each season.
An adult basking in the burrow entrance.
In typical ambush position at the burrow entrance.
Other grassland species such as this legless lizard, Delma molleri can be found at the site.
Another legless lizard, Aprasia pseudopulchella, are common in the grasslands in the cooler weather. These guys are pretty small and feed on ant and termite larvae and eggs.
Gehyra lazelli occur in the valleys were it's a bit more rocky (sorry I forgot to get habitat shots!). These two individuals were quite different, the less patterned individual is likely to be an un-described species.
Another inhabitant of the rocky areas is Ctenophorus decresii a common species in South Australia around Adelaide as well.
Juvenile
Coloured up adult male.
Morethia adelaidensis were common around the field house we stayed in.
And of course Lerista bougainvillii, the most cold tolerant Lerista, with a range that extends down to Melbourne. The juveniles often have bright red/orange tails that fade with age.
Near the grasslands there is a variety of other habitats including chenopod shrublands and mallee where I found the following:
Lerista punctatovittata
Diplodactylus furcosus
Tiliqua rugosa (the area is a bit of a Tiliqua mecca, with rugosa, occipitalis, scincoides and adelaidensis all occuring within 20kms from each other)
Spiney Cheeked Honey-eaters were common
Crinia signifera
White Eared Honey-eater
and Galah...
