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Project Noah Nature School
Rankinia diemensis
Small, rough scales, loose skin, a spiny tail combined with a large, deep head and a squat appearance makes the species unmistakable. Mountain dragons generally have a row of large, paler, diamond shaped markings on either side of the back, often joined to make two irregularly-shaped stripes.
Wide spread throughout Tasmania and southeastern Australia.
The mountain dragon is the only species of the dragon family living in Tasmania. It is a relative of frill-necked lizards and the thorny devil. Mountain dragons are egg-laying lizards that feed on ants and other small invertebrates.
Sorry Martin, I forgot geckos. We don't have any in Tasmania. So yes, the fourth category would be the sticky-toed geckos.
So you have all the local dragons covered:) At least its a very attractive one. Thanks for adding these. Where do geckos fit in? Are they skinks?
You're welcome, Nicole. Here's another dragon I really like: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/278...
Hi Reece, of all the dragons, we only have the mountain dragon in Tasmania. Every other lizard is a skink (and we only have three species of snake). The skinks can be a challenge to identify, but the the dragon and the snakes are easy.
Nicole, Australia divides its lizards into: dragons, skinks, and goannas. Goannas are in the monitor lizard family, skinks are, well, skinks (and usually live-bearers), and dragon seems to be the catch all for everything else.
Spotted on Mar 6, 2009
Submitted on Apr 6, 2011
