moloch05
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The drive between Brisbane and Wollongong is a long one so we decided to spent a night in the granite belt of southern Queensland. Conditions this year were wet and cool so I did not see much but did find one of my long-time targets. I will combine the results of this trip with photos from two previous trips (Jan 2007, Feb 2006) since this is a beautiful area and one that is rich with reptiles. It is well worth a visit for those of you who travel along the New England Highway.
Firstly, here are a few habitat shots. The area is scenic with many granite domes and strange rock formations:
Many of the outcrops were cracking and these cracks provided shelter for a number of species of herps. A walk in these areas by day or night was always very interesting.
This year, there was plenty of water for a change. These riparian habitats were also good for a number of herps.
... now the herps. I will start with a new one that I finally found on a misty night this year. I have tried several times before without success. I was under the impression that this gecko must be rare but participants on another forum indicated that they see it regularly in the New England area of northern NSW.
Granite Belt Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus)
... the gecko usually held its tail with the tip pointed downwards
... the scales and pigmentation would allow this lizard to blend well with the granite boulders
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko (Oedura tryoni) were always a pleasant sight:
Lesueur's Velvet Geckos (Oedura lesueurii) were the most common gecko of the area.
I saw a number of Wyberba Leaf-tailed Geckos (Saltuarius wyberba) on my first visit but have not again found the species. They are an endemic of the granite belt and quite a spectacular reptile.
I have not seen many snakes here but did encounter a few Eastern Small-eyed Snakes (Crytophis nigrescens).
One night, I found a huge Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) that appeared to be warming itself on the granite:
Nobbi Dragons (Amphibolurus nobbi) were occasionally encountered.
Jacky Lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus).
... this Jacky was a little odd in colouration.
... another particularly large individual
Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbarata) attempting to hide on top of a rock:
Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) were a common sight along the creek.
I saw a few Eastern Striped Skinks (Ctenotus robustus):
The beautiful granite belt race of the Cunningham's Skinks (Egernia cunninghami) were abundant on warm days.
Another Egernia skink was also common on the boulders.
Egernia mcpheei
Eulamprus martini were a rock dwelling Eulamprus.
Eastern Water Skinks (Eulamprus quoyii) were a frequent sight along the creek.
I saw a few Snake-necked Turtles (Chelodina longicollis) in the creek. Someone has obviously marked this turtle so there must be study underway. Unfortunately, I still did not find any of the endemic Bald Rock Creek Turtles (Elseya bellii).
Amphibians of the area included the following:
Painted Burrowing Frog (Neobatrachus sudelli)
Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerili).
... Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) ??
... Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax) ??
... any ideas?
... a pretty terrestrial orchid of some sort was common this year. Does anyone know its name?
Firstly, here are a few habitat shots. The area is scenic with many granite domes and strange rock formations:
Many of the outcrops were cracking and these cracks provided shelter for a number of species of herps. A walk in these areas by day or night was always very interesting.
This year, there was plenty of water for a change. These riparian habitats were also good for a number of herps.
... now the herps. I will start with a new one that I finally found on a misty night this year. I have tried several times before without success. I was under the impression that this gecko must be rare but participants on another forum indicated that they see it regularly in the New England area of northern NSW.
Granite Belt Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus)
... the gecko usually held its tail with the tip pointed downwards
... the scales and pigmentation would allow this lizard to blend well with the granite boulders
Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko (Oedura tryoni) were always a pleasant sight:
Lesueur's Velvet Geckos (Oedura lesueurii) were the most common gecko of the area.
I saw a number of Wyberba Leaf-tailed Geckos (Saltuarius wyberba) on my first visit but have not again found the species. They are an endemic of the granite belt and quite a spectacular reptile.
I have not seen many snakes here but did encounter a few Eastern Small-eyed Snakes (Crytophis nigrescens).
One night, I found a huge Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) that appeared to be warming itself on the granite:
Nobbi Dragons (Amphibolurus nobbi) were occasionally encountered.
Jacky Lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus).
... this Jacky was a little odd in colouration.
... another particularly large individual
Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbarata) attempting to hide on top of a rock:
Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) were a common sight along the creek.
I saw a few Eastern Striped Skinks (Ctenotus robustus):
The beautiful granite belt race of the Cunningham's Skinks (Egernia cunninghami) were abundant on warm days.
Another Egernia skink was also common on the boulders.
Egernia mcpheei
Eulamprus martini were a rock dwelling Eulamprus.
Eastern Water Skinks (Eulamprus quoyii) were a frequent sight along the creek.
I saw a few Snake-necked Turtles (Chelodina longicollis) in the creek. Someone has obviously marked this turtle so there must be study underway. Unfortunately, I still did not find any of the endemic Bald Rock Creek Turtles (Elseya bellii).
Amphibians of the area included the following:
Painted Burrowing Frog (Neobatrachus sudelli)
Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerili).
... Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) ??
... Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax) ??
... any ideas?
... a pretty terrestrial orchid of some sort was common this year. Does anyone know its name?
