MERTEN'S WATER MONITOR

7                    MERTEN'S WATER MONITOR                       Varanus mertensi

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS               7

Ranges across central and inland waters of far northern Australia, from nw WA to central Queensland and western catchment of Cape York peninsula. Aquatic lizard, usually seen basking on riverside rocks; submerges when disturbed and can stay submerged for long periods.

SHINGLE-BACK

6               SHINGLE-BACK                   Siliqua rugosa

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS              6

Also known as Stumpy-tail Skinks, Sleepy Lizard, Bogeye, Bobtail Lizard. Distributed over south of continent except coastal east and south-east and Tasmania. Slow-moving and diurnal in wide range of habitat. Feeds on insects, arthropods, snails, carrion, flowers, fruit, berries and faeces of kangaroo and emu.

LORD HOWE ISLAND GECKO

Photographed on Phillip Island (off Norfolk Island)

5                 LORD HOWE ISLAND GECKO                   Christinus guentheri 

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS            5

Found on Lord Howe Island and its satellites; satellite islands of Norfolk Island, but not Norfolk itself. Arboreal and rock-dwelling.

YELLOW-SPOTTED MONITOR

4                   YELLOW-SPOTTED MONITOR               Varanus panoptes

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS               4

Range: Kimberley and arid western regions of WA and NT to Cape York and central Queensland. Large, ground-dwelling monitor; feeds largely on insets and small, terrestrial vertebrates.

SOUTHERN WATER SKINK

Photographed at Toolangi State Park, Victoria

3                 SOUTHERN WATER SKINK                      Eulamprus tympanum

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS               3

Range: southern and eastern Victoria and south-eastern NSW, isolated populations on Fleurie Peninsula, SA. Agile, diurnal usually along small creeks.

Also photographed at Toolangi State Park, Victoria, February 2022

LAND MULLET

2                  LAND MULLET                 Bellatorias major 

AUSTRAIAN LIZARDS           2

Found in se Queensland and north coast of NSW. Inhabits rainforests and adjacent wet sclerophyll forests.

CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON

Photographed in south-east Queensland.

1                   CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON                Pogona vitticeps

AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS     1 

Also known as Inland Bearded Dragon. Popular as a pet. Found in a wide range of arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Can vary widely in colour: brown, red-brown, red, yellow, white, orange.

juvenile