Grassland Earless Dragon

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Grassland Earless Dragon - Peter Robertson | Grassland Earless Dragon - Peter Robertson

Tympanocryptis pinguicolla

Grows up to 150 mm in length. Small, rough scales that don't overlap, well developed limbs. Upper body pattern is light grey with brown mottling and a series of longitudinal stripes. Undersurface is white with occasional dark speckling.

Details
Type
Reptile
Group
Animals
Lizard
Other Common Names
Southern Lined Earless Dragon
Biology

Oviparous (egg laying). Believed to lay eggs in a specially constructed nest burrow.
Distinctive Markings

Tympanum (ear opening) is covered by skin and not visible.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Agamidae
Genus
Tympanocryptis
Species
pinguicolla
There are three isolated populations of the Grassland Earless Dragon. These occur in the Austalian Capital Territory/New South Wales southern tablelands region, southern Victoria and south east Queensland.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

In Victoria, this species is restricted to the Western Basalt Grassland community.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Grassland invertebrates including grasshoppers, beetles, crickets and spiders.
Habitat

Areas of rocky native grass dominated by Wallaby grass, Tussock grass and Spear-grass. Tree and shrub cover is sparse or absent. Found sheltering in burrows or under rocks.
Native Status
Native to Australia