iHerp_Australia_-_March-April_2018

frustrated and covered in burrs, and almost ran into

a huge emu with three adorable chicks. The chicks

decided to do a runner, and we breathed a sigh of

relief knowing we wouldn’t have to fight off their

defensive mother in order to get to the vehicle, as

the larger emu followed her young back into the

scrub.

We turned south toward Mount Gambier, in order to

search for the most anticipated herp of the trip. I

was reminded that we were getting closer to our

target species when we drove past one of the many

pine plantations that dot the Limestone Coast.

Later, we jumped out of the car within another plan-

tation and soon found an area that appeared perfect

for the elusive reptile we were chasing. Gently we

began to search, making sure not to damage the

delicate microhabitat that these animals occupy. We

found several species of skinks; absolutely massive

Bougainville’s Skinks (Lerista bougainvillii) and Four

• toed Earless Skinks (Hemiergis peronii) seemed to
  be very common, erupting from the soil when
  disturbed. We also found a pair of Southern Grass
  Skinks (Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii) together -
  another pretty skink when in breeding colouration.
  The sun began to wane as we continued our

search, and our spirits dampened slightly as we

neared the end of the patch of native vegetation.

Then Dan let out a shout when he discovered the

shed skin of what appeared to be a very long and

limbless reptile. Seconds later we were both

rewarded with the sight of a beautiful male Eared

Worm-lizard (Aprasia aurita).

Originally thought to be restricted to a few small,

isolated populations in the Mallee region of north-

west Victoria, this Critically Endangered species of

pygopod was only discovered in South Australia in

the last twenty years or so. The population within

the ‘Reedy Creek range’ of the Limestone Coast

were once believed to be a variation in pattern of

the far more common Lined Worm-lizard (Aprasia

striolata). With the disjointed nature of its known

distribution, together with the fact that this South

Australian population is hundreds of kilometres

away from the Victorian range, it is not unlikely

that more populations of the Eared Worm-lizard

exist as yet undetected. After a short photo

session, we decided to check into the cabin we

were staying at in Millicent, as we still had one last

species to find as day turned to night.

After finding our accommodation and a quick and

well-deserved feed at a local pizza restaurant, we

were soon driving down a road that was straight out

of a horror movie. Large willow trees that rustled

overhead coupled with very little phone reception to

produce some extremely creepy vibes. Up ahead

we spotted two headlights coming out of the dark

that eventually proved to belong to a white van.

Eared Worm-lizard (Aprasia aurita).

All images by Nicholas Gale.

‘Dan let out a shoutshout, and

seconds later we were both

rewarded with the sight of a

beautiful Eared WormEared Worm--lizardlizard.’

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