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rare collared delma

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:27 pm
by blacknstormy
Delma torquata - listed as vulnerable at both State and Federal level. This is actually a pygopod, or legless lizard, known from only 4 sites in all of Australia (Mount Crosby, Lake Manchester, Karana Downs and the Bunya Mts.) Very cool lizard, but bloody small. The second shot is to give you some idea of scale. We went looking for it this afternoon, and were lucky enough to find one pretty quickly. Enjoy - very few people have ever seen one :)

If anyone can give me tips on taking lizard shots, please do so !!! I'm bloody hopeless !!!!!

Image

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:36 pm
by BBJ
It's a snake!! LOL I jump when i see lizards as well and wlel my way of think if it aint got legs it's a snake and the only good 1 is a dead 1. Well good find though your gamer than me.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:46 pm
by Zeeke
Wowsers.. maybe they need to recheck the locations on them critters.. because ive seen a couple on Buderim in the National Park bit... Lindsey Falls area... awesome little critters.. very twitchy movements at times

Tim

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:44 am
by Oneputt
Cute little fellers. :D

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:08 am
by kipper
BBJ wrote:It's a snake!! LOL I jump when i see lizards as well and wlel my way of think if it aint got legs it's a snake and the only good 1 is a dead 1. Well good find though your gamer than me.


That's the typical misapprehension that people have of snakes. From what I've read they're fairly shy creatures and only usually bite as a defense mechanism (eg. if you stand on it when bushwalking). I've been at a 6ft distance from a tiger snake on two occassions now and both times they've just sat coiled up and observed me or wriggled off into the grass. If you do decide to go bushwalking it's best to wear atleast ankle high boots or get yourself some army boots that are like 12/16ups :) Sometimes if the grass is too high I'll put welly/gum boots on.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:40 am
by olrac
if it is a lizard where are it's legs?????

I agree with BBJ

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:36 pm
by blacknstormy
Thanks for your comments everyone - and thank you Kipper, for setting the record straight. Snakes are usually a hell of a lot more scared of us than we are of them, but this isn't a snake :)

Tim - maybe you did see them... or it may have been an immature Delma plebeia which look pretty similar when they are young. However, some reference books do suggest they may appear around that area..... I was going off the official EPA listing..... we'll have to come up and have a look. Thanks for letting me know :)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:17 pm
by Zeeke
no worries... dont know what full size for one is.. but the ones ive seen were around 5" in size.. same markings and colouring..

also just remembered we get them near my house, theres a tree farm in my backyard.. which borders Eudlo Creek on Maroochy River... it also has martins creek running into it (freshwater) and 2 fresh water lagoons with one with a small island.. unfortunately.. i only know this because my folks cats brought one in.. luckily it wasnt hurt or damaged and was released successfully... if i could find more of them.. might prevent them from tearing the tree farm down and replacing it with a retirement village... its in councils hands at the moment.. but when the proposal went up they had a list of animals they reckon was in the area... unfortunately, those lizards werent...

Tim

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:20 pm
by kipper
I know it's a bit OT, but no worries Rel, as Nicole will tell you I'm pretty worried about snakes seeing as I go bushbashing trying to find birds. I've tried to minimize the chances by wearing gumboots and usually try to remember where the nearest hospital is just in case.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:05 pm
by Nicole
I would love to know how to take better pics of lizards too. Well done for getting something rare like this. That is one tiny lizard though! I saw a big guy the other day but he froze right behind a stick. No matter which angle I tried that stupid stick was in the way. When I first heard the grass rustling I thought of you Darryl and had a chuckle at the thought of you thinking it would be a snake. :lol:

A bit of respect and not doing anything stupid seems like the sensible way to go.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:45 pm
by kipper
Hah! I've been out a few times and heard rustling in the grass or bushes and I usually jump a bit. I sort of laugh because I could just imagine you rolling your eyes :)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:57 pm
by Matt. K
blacknstormy
Thanks for telling me where I can find some of these little suckers. I have been using them for bait for many years and they are getting harder to find. Nothing stirs up the blue gropers more than one of these little wrigglers! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: