GRASS SKINK

Photographed near entrance to Jillabenan Cave, at Yarrangobilly Caves, Snowy Mountains, NSW, December 2017

69                    GRASS SKINK                   Lampropholis guichenoti

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS              47

Found along se mainland from Adelaide to Brisbane, mainly on coast and the Divide. Has adapted and thrives in human environment; more in Sydney backyards then surrounding bushland. Eats invertebrates.

JACKY LIZARD

Photographed in the Snowy Mountains, NSW, December 2017

68                    JACKY LIZARD                     Amphibolurus muricatus

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS           46

 Found in se mainland from se SA to se Queensland, mainly coastal and on Dividing Range. Eats vegetation, invertebrates and other lizards. Shelters under bark and leaves but does climb into bushes.                

BLOTCHED BLUE-TONGUE SKINK

Photographed in Tasmania.

67                  BLOTCHED BLUE-TONGUE SKINK                  Tiliqua nigrolutea

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS                   45

Also known as Botched Blue-tongue Lizard and Southern Blue-tongue Lizard. Endemic to south-eastern Australia, on mainland and Tasmania. Found in wet and dry sclerophyll forests, montane woodlands and coastal heathlands. Omnivore, eating mainly insects, snails, carrion, wildflowers, native fruits and other vegetation.

MURRAY RIVER TURTLE

Photographed at Mackay Botanic Gardens, Mackay, Queensland, December 2017

66              MURRAY RIVER TURTLE               Emydura macquarii    

AUSTRALIAN TURTLES               6

Also known as Murray River Tortoise, Macquarie Turtle and Murray Short Neck Turtle. Found throughout rivers of eastern Australia, though primarily in the Murray River basin. It is infected with the flatworm Choanocotyle elegans.

SOUTHERN ANGLE-HEADED DRAGON

Photographed in Barrington Tops, December 2017

65                      SOUTHERN ANGLE-HEADED DRAGON                 Lophosaurus spinipes

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS             44

Also known as Southern Forest Dragon; former latin name Hypsiluris spinipes. Australian endemic; found in eastern Australian rainforests and rainforest margins from around Gosford (NSW) to near Gympie (Q); also present in Barrington Tops National Park (NSW). Primarily arboreal, cryptic, slow moving and well camouflaged Thermoconformer, allowing body temperature to fluctuate with surrounding temperature. Eats insects and other arthropods.