moloch05
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2006
- Messages
- 772
- Reaction score
- 8
In January, my wife and I spent 10 days in Brisbane. I was there for work so was not able to to much herping. We did visit the Lamington Plateau on a weekend (subject of another post). I also went night driving in the Mt. Glorious area on three occasions and this report will include the results of the drives. Mt. Glorious is only about an hour west of centre of Brisbane.
The weather was wet and not very hot for this time of the year. I only ventured to Mt. Glorious at night, so I do not have habitat shots from this trip. I do have pics of the forest in this post from a couple of years ago:
http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3234&highlight=glorious
I found a variety of reptiles and amphibians on this trip. One of my favourites is the Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata). I found as many as three each night.
This one started to loop its body but did not put on a very good show like they sometimes will do:
Conditions must have been ideal for blind snakes (Ramphotyphlops sp.) and I found up to 8 each night. These are the prey of Bandy-bandy. Several blind snakes are found in southeast Queensland. I think most of those that I observed were probably Ramphotyphlops proximus due to their size and the angular profile of the head.
These blind snakes were quite large.
I found what I believe to be a different species in an area of dry eucalyptus woodland. I think that this is a Ramphotyphylops ligatus due to the sharp demarcation between the dorsal and ventral colours.
This young Stephen's Banded Snake (Hoplocephalus stephensii) had recently eaten. I only saw this species once in 3 nights of driving.
This large Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) crossed the road on a wet night.
I saw Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens) each night.
This year, I strangely failed to find Golden-crowned Snakes (Cacophis squamulosus). I did see a relative, the White-crowned Snake (Cacophis harriettae).
Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota) were active each night.
This one crossed the road in heavy rain.
This juvenile blended will with the leaf litter.
This was my first ever Anomalopus verreauxii. Unfortunately, this burrowing skink was DOR.
Southern Spotted Velvet Geckos (Oedura tryoni) were sighted each night.
Robust Velvet Geckos (Oedura robusta) were common in the drier eucalyptus woodland.
...juvie
I think that this Burton's Snake-lizard (Lialis burtonis) was the most beautiful individual that I have seen. These are highly variable in colour and pattern, even within the same area.
Pink-tongued Skinks (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii) were encountered each night.
This Calyptotis was a new genus of skinks for me. There are two similar species here, C. lepidorostrum and C. scutirostrum. I don't know how to separate these in the field.
One of Australia's prettiest frogs, the Red-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria chloris) was abundant in some areas.
Green Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea) were common.
Dainty Tree Frogs (Litoria gracilenta) were calling along a stream.
I am not certain of the identity of this Barred Frog but think that it is probably a Great Barred Frog (Mixophyes fasciolatus).
The weather was wet and not very hot for this time of the year. I only ventured to Mt. Glorious at night, so I do not have habitat shots from this trip. I do have pics of the forest in this post from a couple of years ago:
http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3234&highlight=glorious
I found a variety of reptiles and amphibians on this trip. One of my favourites is the Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata). I found as many as three each night.
This one started to loop its body but did not put on a very good show like they sometimes will do:
Conditions must have been ideal for blind snakes (Ramphotyphlops sp.) and I found up to 8 each night. These are the prey of Bandy-bandy. Several blind snakes are found in southeast Queensland. I think most of those that I observed were probably Ramphotyphlops proximus due to their size and the angular profile of the head.
These blind snakes were quite large.
I found what I believe to be a different species in an area of dry eucalyptus woodland. I think that this is a Ramphotyphylops ligatus due to the sharp demarcation between the dorsal and ventral colours.
This young Stephen's Banded Snake (Hoplocephalus stephensii) had recently eaten. I only saw this species once in 3 nights of driving.
This large Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus) crossed the road on a wet night.
I saw Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens) each night.
This year, I strangely failed to find Golden-crowned Snakes (Cacophis squamulosus). I did see a relative, the White-crowned Snake (Cacophis harriettae).
Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota) were active each night.
This one crossed the road in heavy rain.
This juvenile blended will with the leaf litter.
This was my first ever Anomalopus verreauxii. Unfortunately, this burrowing skink was DOR.
Southern Spotted Velvet Geckos (Oedura tryoni) were sighted each night.
Robust Velvet Geckos (Oedura robusta) were common in the drier eucalyptus woodland.
...juvie
I think that this Burton's Snake-lizard (Lialis burtonis) was the most beautiful individual that I have seen. These are highly variable in colour and pattern, even within the same area.
Pink-tongued Skinks (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii) were encountered each night.
This Calyptotis was a new genus of skinks for me. There are two similar species here, C. lepidorostrum and C. scutirostrum. I don't know how to separate these in the field.
One of Australia's prettiest frogs, the Red-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria chloris) was abundant in some areas.
Green Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea) were common.
Dainty Tree Frogs (Litoria gracilenta) were calling along a stream.
I am not certain of the identity of this Barred Frog but think that it is probably a Great Barred Frog (Mixophyes fasciolatus).
