Reptiles & Amphibians
(Pic: Shingleback or Sleepy Lizard)
(Certain information courtesy of Geoff Coombe)
Australia has a large variety of reptiles, notably lizards and snakes. There are 689 species of lizards which are divided up into 5 groups for families - dragons, skinks, geckos, goannas, legless. Lizards range in size from the tiny 25 mm skink to the 3 m Komodo Dragon (the world's largest monitor lizard) believed to have evolved in Australia but now only found in Indonesia. Australia's largest monitor lizard, commonly known as the goanna, is the Perentie which can grow to 2.4 m in length. There are 199 snake species with the most common being the Red Bellied Black, Brown, Tiger, King Brown, Taipan, Death Adder. All are venomous to varying degrees. The Fierce or Inland Taipan has a highly potent venom but fortunately is restricted to remote outback areas with no known fatalities resulting from bites incurred . Australia’s two species of crocodiles are found in the northern regions of the country. The Estuarine is a saltwater crocodile between 4-7 m long. It is a big heavy animal and can also be found in freshwater. The Johnsons crocodile conversely lives in fresh water but is also found in salt water. It has a narrower snout than its ‘scaly counterpart’ and grows up to 3 m. They are both carnivores but the Johnsons croc does not attack humans. Additionally, Australia has 32 species of turtles - both freshwater & marine.

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