Species name: Common Scaly-foot (Pygopus lepidopodus)
General Description: Rounded snout head not distinguishable from neck and prominent ear openings. The scales are strongly keeled (rough) and the body is heavily built, with the hind flaps prominent. Greyish-brown to mid-grey in colouration with no obvious markings. Scales have a glossy texture.
Distinguished from a snake by:
· Presence of movable eyelids,
· Fleshy tongue (not forked),
· Vestigial hind limb flaps,
· Ear openings.
Average length: 274mm
Habitat in SE Qld: Favours open habitats such as heathlands and woodlands, but also found in wet sclerophyll forests, coastal areas and semi-arid regions. Encountered under low lying open vegetation such as tussock grasses.
Diet: Feeds primarily upon spiders and will also take insects.
Local distribution: Uncommon in Brisbane but is found most commonly throughout areas of the D’Aguilar and Border Ranges but also north through coastal areas of the Sunshine coast. Most records from the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range
Around the home: Due to its cryptic nature and often specific habitat selection is not expected to be a species commonly associated with backyard fauna. When handled it will spin and contort in an attempt to free itself from its captor.
General Description: Rounded snout head not distinguishable from neck and prominent ear openings. The scales are strongly keeled (rough) and the body is heavily built, with the hind flaps prominent. Greyish-brown to mid-grey in colouration with no obvious markings. Scales have a glossy texture.
Distinguished from a snake by:
· Presence of movable eyelids,
· Fleshy tongue (not forked),
· Vestigial hind limb flaps,
· Ear openings.
Average length: 274mm
Habitat in SE Qld: Favours open habitats such as heathlands and woodlands, but also found in wet sclerophyll forests, coastal areas and semi-arid regions. Encountered under low lying open vegetation such as tussock grasses.
Diet: Feeds primarily upon spiders and will also take insects.
Local distribution: Uncommon in Brisbane but is found most commonly throughout areas of the D’Aguilar and Border Ranges but also north through coastal areas of the Sunshine coast. Most records from the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range
Around the home: Due to its cryptic nature and often specific habitat selection is not expected to be a species commonly associated with backyard fauna. When handled it will spin and contort in an attempt to free itself from its captor.
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