moloch05
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- Aug 26, 2006
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I have just returned from a whirlwind trip through central western Queensland. This area is beautiful and supports a variety of habitats. I visited a number of sites ranging from the Mitchell Grass downs of Muttaburra/Aramac to the granite hills near Dajarra. I especially enjoyed the scenery in the Eyrean Basin between Winton and Dajarra. The habitat was in great shape with the biggest clumps of spinifex that I have ever seen. There must have been ample rainfall since the spinifex was green and flowering.
This region is a long distance from Wollongong and I ended up driving about 6000km in one week. Needless to say, I spent much of the last week sitting in the car but I now know of several interesting areas to visit again someday when I can spend more time.
There aren't many people in this part of Queensland. I saw very few cars on the road at night. On the downside, there was no radio or mobile phone coverage. I usually camped off small side roads. The stars at night were incredible due to the dry air and no artificial lights. This was a typical campsite.
Here are a few habitat shots of the areas that I visited.
Mitchell Grass Downs near Muttaburra and Winton:
Acacia (several species) Savannah:
Mulga forest:
Eyrean Basin between Winton and Boulia:
Granite outcrops near Dajarra:
... and now, the geckos:
Tessellated Gecko (Diplodactylus tessellatus) -- this was by far the most abundant species. There were hordes of these on the road through many areas. They seemed to be particularly common in the Mitchell Grass Downs.
This little animal was different to any that I have seen before. Its ventral surface was white with black streaks. Is this the pattern of a juvenile?
Robust Dtella (Gehyra robusta) -- a new species to me. It was common on granite outcrops. Some animals were ghostly pale (maybe shedding?) but others were nicely coloured.
Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata) (I think) -- these lived on the same rock outcrops as G. robusta.
Prickly Gecko (Heteronotia binoei) -- I like the glowing eyes. This animal was found during the day. At night, they are grey with black barring on the back.
Box-patterned Gecko (Lucasium steindachneri) -- their disruptive colouration makes them hard to see on dry grass:
Pale-striped Ground Gecko (Lucasium immaculatum) -- these were numerous here at the northern end of their range. I have only seen one previously in the Windorah area of QLD.
Prickly Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus asper) -- I was very pleased to find this species. It was new to me. I saw two adults and a very cute little juvenile.
adult 1:
... amazing tail:
adult 2:
juvenile:
Marbled Velvet Gecko (Oedura marmorata) -- these are also a lovely sight. I saw several.
... very pale. About to shed?
Beaked Gecko (Rhynchoedura ornata) -- I only took one photo before it streaked away and could not be relocated. These seem to be much more common further south.
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) -- I only saw this single animal.
Burton's Snake Lizard (Lialis burtonis) -- one in the Mitchell Grass Downs.
Eastern Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi) -- there was hardly any traffic on the road at night so this poor little lizard was incredibly unfortunate. I assume that it is schraderi and not steelescotti since it was found about 100km west of Winton. The range maps seem to indicate that steelscotti is found a little north of this area.
Regards,
David
This region is a long distance from Wollongong and I ended up driving about 6000km in one week. Needless to say, I spent much of the last week sitting in the car but I now know of several interesting areas to visit again someday when I can spend more time.
There aren't many people in this part of Queensland. I saw very few cars on the road at night. On the downside, there was no radio or mobile phone coverage. I usually camped off small side roads. The stars at night were incredible due to the dry air and no artificial lights. This was a typical campsite.
Here are a few habitat shots of the areas that I visited.
Mitchell Grass Downs near Muttaburra and Winton:
Acacia (several species) Savannah:
Mulga forest:
Eyrean Basin between Winton and Boulia:
Granite outcrops near Dajarra:
... and now, the geckos:
Tessellated Gecko (Diplodactylus tessellatus) -- this was by far the most abundant species. There were hordes of these on the road through many areas. They seemed to be particularly common in the Mitchell Grass Downs.
This little animal was different to any that I have seen before. Its ventral surface was white with black streaks. Is this the pattern of a juvenile?
Robust Dtella (Gehyra robusta) -- a new species to me. It was common on granite outcrops. Some animals were ghostly pale (maybe shedding?) but others were nicely coloured.
Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata) (I think) -- these lived on the same rock outcrops as G. robusta.
Prickly Gecko (Heteronotia binoei) -- I like the glowing eyes. This animal was found during the day. At night, they are grey with black barring on the back.
Box-patterned Gecko (Lucasium steindachneri) -- their disruptive colouration makes them hard to see on dry grass:
Pale-striped Ground Gecko (Lucasium immaculatum) -- these were numerous here at the northern end of their range. I have only seen one previously in the Windorah area of QLD.
Prickly Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus asper) -- I was very pleased to find this species. It was new to me. I saw two adults and a very cute little juvenile.
adult 1:
... amazing tail:
adult 2:
juvenile:
Marbled Velvet Gecko (Oedura marmorata) -- these are also a lovely sight. I saw several.
... very pale. About to shed?
Beaked Gecko (Rhynchoedura ornata) -- I only took one photo before it streaked away and could not be relocated. These seem to be much more common further south.
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) -- I only saw this single animal.
Burton's Snake Lizard (Lialis burtonis) -- one in the Mitchell Grass Downs.
Eastern Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi) -- there was hardly any traffic on the road at night so this poor little lizard was incredibly unfortunate. I assume that it is schraderi and not steelescotti since it was found about 100km west of Winton. The range maps seem to indicate that steelscotti is found a little north of this area.
Regards,
David
