What do earless dragons eat

Tree and shrub cover is sparse or absent. Found sheltering in burrows or under rocks. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species. In Victoria, this species is restricted to the Western Basalt Grassland community.

Skip to main content. Login Register. Biodiversity of the Western Volcanic Plains. If there was ever an animal that symbolised the city Australia's politicians call home, it would be an earless reptile. Scientists have found the endangered grassland earless dragon in Canberra is one of four unique species, distinct from sparse populations once found as far as Victoria. University of Canberra ecologist Stephen Sarre with the now unique Canberra grassland earless dragon.

Picture: Karleen Minney. The research, published on Thursday, could have big implications for developments and conservation efforts in Canberra. University of Canberra ecologist Professor Stephen Sarre said the dragon is even rarer than previously believed, with only small scattered populations in Canberra and Queanbeyan. In the ACT, the lizard was rediscovered in after not being recorded for 30 years; it is known to live in Natural Temperate Grassland and native pastures in the Majura Valley and Jerrabomberra Valley.

The Grassland Earless Dragon is a small lizard found at higher altitudes and in cooler regions than any other earless dragon. It is usually less than millimetres long and weighs 5—9 grams. Distinctive markings on its back allow for individuals to be identified. During the breeding season, subadults and adults often have yellow-orange or reddish coloration on their throat, sides of head and flanks. The lizard likes well-drained sites dominated by Tall Speargrass and shorter wallaby grasses, with patches of tussocks and open spaces between them.

In the ACT these sites are frost-hollow grasslands that usually have had little or no ploughing or pasture improvement. The lizards use arthropod burrows, particularly Wolf Spider and Raspy Cricket burrows, for shelter and nests.

Eggs are laid in November to January and hatch between January and March. Do not allow heavy, prolonged grazing regimes by stock in habitat known to support the species. Avoid driving vehicles across known sites.

Until evidence to the contrary, use grazing in preference to fire if biomass management is considered necessary. Do not erect fences or other structures on which predatory birds can perch. Do not plant trees and shrubs into habitat as they provide perches for predatory birds and shade habitat.

Control invasions of weeds and pasture species but be wary of the impact of herbicide use in habitat ; where possible, use methods that directly target weeds, such as spot spraying and hand removal. Ensure remnant populations remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish viable links by revegetating with native grasses and providing rocks and other shelters to act as stepping stones for dispersal.

Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning hazard reduction burns and avoid burning these areas until more research on the impacts of fire on this species and its food is undertaken. Action Plan No.

Environment ACT, Canberra. Bennett, R. Southern Lined Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata pinguicolla. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria. Eddy, D. Unpublished B. Get involved.