Western Blue-tongued Lizard - profile

Scientific name: Tiliqua occipitalis 
 Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Description

Robust pale brown skink with a series of broad brown transverse bands on the body and tail.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 Scattered records across central western and western NSW. No observations from northwest NSW to date.

• Terrestrial, and known to utilise rabbit warrens for shelter
• Diurnally forages for insects, snails, native vegetation and carrion.
• Inhabits plains, swales, ranges and sometimes dunes of loamy or clayey/sandy soils vegetated by woodlands, especially mallee, shrublands (including chenopods), heaths or hummock grasslands. Preferred vegetation type appears to be mixed mallee/Triodia communities.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Lachlan
• Lower Murray/Darling
• Murrumbidgee
• Western

Threats

• Clearing and heavy grazing of mallee destroys or fragments habitat.
• Ripping of rabbit warrens potentially reduces shelter.
• Predation by foxes and cats may be problematic.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 13 priority actions to help recover the Western Blue-tongued Lizard in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. goats, foxes, cats and rabbits
• Reduce or exclude grazing in some areas to allow habitat regeneration
• Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
• Retain grasslands, including the full cycle of grass development such a seed set and tussock formation.
• Retain stick and leaf litter.
• Retain understorey shrubs.
• Retain fallen logs and branches as habitat for this species
• Maintain exfoliating and soil surface rocks in the area of concern.
• Maintain Triodia (spinifex or porcupine grass).
• Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.
• Survey.

References

• Cogger, H. G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th ed. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
• Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. Reed New Holland, Sydney.