Pink Tailed Worm LizardBendigo Victoria
The Pink-tailed Worm-lizard is a reptile that can grow to 14 cm. The dark brown head and nape gradually merges with the pale grey or grey-brown body. The end half of its tail is pinkish/reddish-brown, and the longitudinal dark bar within each dorsal scale gives the impression of lines of dots along the body and tail. It is whitish below, with a rounded blunt snout, and its tail is nearly as long as its body (Cogger 2000). 
Population and DistributionThis lizard is known from four sites in eastern Australia: near Canberra in the ACT, Tarcutta and Bathurst in NSW, and near Bendigo in Vic. In the Canberra region the species is widespread but patchily distributed along the Murrimbidgee and Molonglo Rivers and adjacent hill slopes (Osborne & Jones 1995). Major populations in the ACT occur at Mount Taylor, the lower Molonglo River corridor from 250 m upstream of Coppins Crossing to the junction with the Murrimbidgee River, and Woodstock, Stony Creek, Bullen Range and Gingerline reserves in the Murrimbidgee River Corridor (Barrer 1992; Osborne & McKergow 1993; Osborne & Jones 1995). The populations in NSW are restricted to one small site near Bathurst and two small hills in farmland near Tarcutta. One of the occupied hills near Tarcutta has been partially destroyed by the realignment of the Hume Highway (Osborne & Jones 1995). HabitatIn general, lizards occur in open grassland habitats that have a substantial cover of small rocks (Osborne & Jones 1995). Lizards also show a preference for sunny aspects, avoiding S facing slopes. The species is only found at sites with good numbers of invertebrates under rocks (Barrer 1992). Most sites occur in relatively open vegetation (Osborne & McKergow 1993). Some specimens have been collected from grassland sites that appear not to support any native grasses. Several animals have been found on the edge of Callitris enlicheri woodland and Eucalyptus macrorhyncha woodland (Barrer 1992). The species also occurs in low densities in relatively open areas in Casuarina stricta stands with a Themeda sp. understorey, and in Kunzea ericoides scrub (Barrer 1992; Osborne & McKergow 1993). Populations may extend further into woodland but remain undetected (Barrer 1992). Lizards are most commonly found sheltering under small rocks (150 - 600 mm basal area) shallowly embedded in the soil (2 - 5 cm). Some individuals have been found under larger rocks embedded up to 30 cm deep. Rocks are used for thermoregulation, with lizards preferring rocks that receive direct sunlight (Barrer 1992). Individuals may be faithful to the same rock for long periods of time. The lizards utilise ant burrows underneath the rocks, possibly retreating deep into burrows in hot, dry weather (Osborne & Jones 1995). In the ACT lizards are generally found in open grassland communities, particularly where Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) occurs (Barrer 1992; Osborne & Jones 1995). Sites often occur on skeletal, infertile soils, and also on darker, deeper, finely grained soils with a porous or sandy fabric (Barrer 1992). Lizards show a preference for more level ground with more suitable rocks (Barrer 1992) such as small flat-based rocks of volcanic origin (Osborne & Jones 1995). Near Tarcutta lizards are found beneath large fragments of granodiorite (Osborne & Jones 1995). At Bendigo lizards occur under Ordovician shales. The site consists of Box-Ironbark woodland and Green Mallee (Osborne & Jones 1995). FeedingA dietary specialist, consuming adults, larvae and pupae of at least five species of small ants (Jones 1992). ReproductionOviparous with a clutch size of two (Osborne & Jones 1995). Gravid specimens have been collected in Dec. (Patchell & Shine 1986). |
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