SYDNEY LIZARDS

Broad-Tailed Gecko or Southern Leaf Tail Gecko (Phyllurus platurus)

The Broad-Tailed Gecko, also known as the Southern Leaf Tail Gecko, boasts a mottled brown or fawn coloration reminiscent of the sandstone landscape. Measuring at a modest 15 cm, it is recognized for its exceptional regenerative ability, capable of regrowing its tail, albeit without the distinctive tubercules of the original. Breeding in spring and summer, this nocturnal creature lays two eggs and is often spotted in domestic settings, emitting a distinctive squeak when handled.

Common Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti)

With its grey-brown to bronze coloring and a distinguishing dark stripe running along each side, the Common Garden Skink is a diurnal species measuring approximately 10 cm. This sociable reptile frequently lays communal egg aggregations, sometimes exceeding 100 eggs, under protective rocks or logs. It is highly active during warmer months, making it a captivating subject of observation.

Elegant Snake-Eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus pulcher)

The Elegant Snake-Eyed Skink is a sleek, silver-grey lizard marked by prominent white stripes along its back. It earns its name from the absence of eyelids, instead possessing a translucent scale layer resembling that of snakes. Typically active during daylight hours, it lays two eggs between October and December and is renowned for its agility, often occupying crevices in brickwork.

Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii)

Sporting an olive-brown upper body adorned with small, irregular black spots and a slender pale gold stripe extending from above its eye, the Eastern Water Skink is a diurnal reptile measuring around 25 cm. These versatile urban residents are known for their pest-control prowess, preying on insects and spiders. Eastern Water Skinks are bold and have adapted adeptly to suburban life.

Eastern Blue Tongue (Tiliqua scincoides)

Recognized by its silver-grey appearance, dark back bands, and a distinctive blue tongue that emerges when threatened, the Eastern Blue Tongue reaches an impressive length of 60 cm. This diurnal species enjoys a varied diet, including slugs, snails, insects, and even plants. It is a familiar sight in suburban gardens, often misunderstood and subject to unwarranted fear.

Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)

Eastern Water Dragons exhibit a brownish-grey hue with black stripes along their backs and tails. Males sport bright red chest and upper bellies during the mating season, reaching up to 90 cm, while females are smaller at 60 cm. These diurnal reptiles, mainly carnivorous but transitioning to herbivory as adults, have remarkably adapted to urban environments, often residing near water bodies, parks, and coastal areas.