Survey of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard
(Aprasia parapulchella)
The 1.8 hectare Fairlane Fauna and Flora Reserve on River Drive Queanbeyan was identified as a habitat for the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella).
A grant secured in 1995 by Queanbeyan Landcare enabled a Plan of Management to be developed that would protect the population of this threatened reptile.
The Plan detailed the need to conduct ongoing surveys of the area and so once every two years on a day that is not too sunny nor too cloudy, a group of Landcarers complete this survey.
The surveys have been conducted since 2002. Tom Baker arranges these surveys, sometimes he works alone at other times members of the group accompany him. There is always lots to see and talk about. Many years ago two Burtons legless lizards were observed.
This image shows an Aprasia sighted in 2021 on a day that was perfect day for spotting. It was Spring day, just before midday, sunny, but not too sunny with a bit of cloud.
Images taken in 2023 (below) show one of the 4 lizards sighted well as several other small creatures.
Images from 2025 (below) show the volunteers searching for the lizards and observing the birds in the nearby trees. As well as a disappointing lizard count, we observed many weeds including privet and St John’s Wort. The St John’s Wort was covered in many small black, shiny beetles. The beetle called the Chrysolina Beetle were released in Australia to control the weed but had little impact. An article written a few years ago by our current president Ian Johnsson indicates why. Sadly, a rather large bag of litter was collected. Happily, the Bulbine Lilies were out in all their glory.
Chrysolina Beetle
Click below to see the history of the Pink-Tailed Legless Lizard