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What do they look like?

There are over 320 species of skinks in Australia. They can range in size from the small common Garden Skink at just 9cm to the large Blue-Tongued Lizard that can get over 40cm long. Most suburban backyards are home to a variety of skinks, but many look similar at a glance. 

Where are they found?

Skinks can be found all across Australia. Due to their timid nature and quick reflexes you may only ever see them dashing for cover as you approach.

Fast facts:

1. They create nests in moist soil under objects in the garden. Females lay about five eggs each, sometimes in communal nests which hold dozens of eggs. Eggs look like mini chicken eggs but are soft and rubbery. They become enlarged as they absorb moisture from the surrounding soil.
2. A skink drops its tail when handled by you or chased by a predator. This is a survival tactic, as predators often focus on the wriggling tail while the skink escapes. The tail will eventually regrow, but it costs the skink a lot of energy.
3. Skinks don’t have to eat every day, but will do so when conditions are favourable.

Skinks

There are over 325 species of skinks in Australia. They can range in size from the small common Garden Skink at just 9cm to the large Blue-Tongued Lizard that can get over 40cm long. Most suburban backyards are home to a variety of skinks, but they look similar at a glance. Due to their timid nature and quick reflexes you may only ever see them dashing for cover as you approach.

Skinks don’t have to eat every day, but will do so when conditions are favourable.

Females of the Garden Skink lay about five eggs each, sometimes in communal nests which can hold hundreds of eggs. They create nests in moist soil under objects in the garden. Eggs are just 1cm long look like mini chicken eggs but are soft and rubbery. They become enlarged as they absorb moisture from the surrounding soil.

The female Blue-tongued Lizard gives birth to live young three to four months after mating. Blue-tongues have between one and fifteen babies who are able to look after themselves just four days after birth. But it will take three to four years before they are fully grown.

To take a closer look at skinks in your garden, find a comfortable spot on a warm day to sit quietly where you usually see skinks and they should eventually emerge.

You can help skinks thrive in your garden

These pest-controlling hunters can survive easily in your garden. By including logs, sticks and leaf mulch in your garden you can help to protect them.

You will most often see them sunning themselves on rocks or bricks, but as they are prey for many birds, they will disappear like lightning if they sense any threats.

Simple things that you do can make a huge difference to Australia’s animals. 

Skinks love:

A place to sunbake – the sun’s warmth prepares their bodies for more insect-gathering activity.

Eating insects – crickets, moths and cockroaches are favourites.

A place to hide – lizards have a good chance of escaping predators if your garden includes logs, small bundles of sticks and dense ground cover.

But they don’t like:

Their eggs being dug up – gardeners or animals sometimes uncover their nests. Eggs are most prone to being disturbed between early summer and autumn.

Cats and dogs – some pets can’t resist chasing or catching skinks.

Birds – that see them as a quick and easy snack

Be a buddy to skinks

Try to:

• accumulate plenty of leaf mulch on garden beds – this provides the ideal location for skinks to hide and feed.
• restore a nest if you disturb it while digging in the garden.
• lean a small stick in any water bowl – skinks may drink there and be unable to climb out.

Avoid:

• using pesticides. A skink can be poisoned if it eats a contaminated insect.

Don’t be surprised if:

• a skink drops its tail when handled by you or chased by a predator. This is a survival tactic, as predators often focus on the wriggling tail while the skink escapes. The tail will eventually regrow, but it costs the skink a lot of energy.
• you find several skinks locked in a tangle, holding each other. This may be some form of territorial or mating behaviour.
• skinks occasionally come inside your house. They are timid and difficult to catch, but using a soft-bristled brush and dustpan you can try to catch them and return them to the garden.

What do they look like?

The Mary River Turtle is dark brown, rusty red-brown to almost black above, with a greyish underbody, a broadly oval shell with a median notch. The lower half of the shell may be cream to yellow, the skin of the inguinal areas pinkish-white, and the dorsal skin grey, suffused with pink on the transverse lamellae scales. Females grow to 34 cm long, and males to 42 cm long. It has large hind feet, and is a fast swimmer.

Where are they found?

The Mary River Turtle is endemic to the Mary River in south-eastern Queensland. Populations are known to occur in major tributaries and the main channel of the Mary River including Yabba and Tinana Creeks, Gunalda, Miva and Tiaro.

The Mary River flows for around 250 km from its source in the Conondale Range to the sea. Like other turtles with cloacal respiration (structures like gills with which it can obtain some oxygen from the water), the Mary River Turtle occurs in flowing, well-oxygenated sections of streams. Its habitat consists of riffles and shallow stretches alternating with deeper, flowing pools. The species can occur in depths ranging from less than a metre to more than 5m. Adults are usually found in areas with underwater shelter, such as sparse to dense macrophyte cover, submerged logs and rock crevices. They like to bask on logs and rocks.

Fast facts:

1. OUR CONSERVATION STATUS: National: Endangered; State: Endangered (QLD) – there are less than 1,000 individuals left.
2. The Mary River Turtle takes an exceptionally long time to reach maturity. The projected age at maturity is around 25 years for females and 30 years for males.

Mary River Turtle – the full story

OUR CONSERVATION STATUS

• National: Endangered
  
  
• State: Endangered (QLD)

HOW MANY OF US ARE THERE?

< 10,000 individuals

WHERE DO WE LIVE?

The Mary River Turtle is endemic to the Mary River in south-eastern Queensland. Populations are known to occur in major tributaries and the main channel of the Mary River including Yabba and Tinana Creeks, Gunalda, Miva and Tiaro.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mary River Turtle is dark brown, rusty red-brown to almost black above, with a greyish underbody, a broadly oval shell with a median notch. The lower half of the shell may be cream to yellow, the skin of the inguinal areas pinkish-white, and the dorsal skin grey, suffused with pink on the transverse lamellae scales. Females grow to 34 cm long, and males to 42 cm long. It has large hind feet, and is a fast swimmer.

OUR HABITAT

The Mary River flows for around 250 km from its source in the Conondale Range to the sea. Like other turtles with cloacal respiration (structures like gills with which it can obtain some oxygen from the water), the Mary River Turtle occurs in flowing, well-oxygenated sections of streams. Its habitat consists of riffles and shallow stretches alternating with deeper, flowing pools. The species can occur in depths ranging from less than a metre to more than 5m. Adults are usually found in areas with underwater shelter, such as sparse to dense macrophyte cover, submerged logs and rock crevices. They like to bask on logs and rocks.

Adult Mary River Tortoises are mainly herbivorous, but eat some animal matter. Aquatic plants make up 79% of the diet by weight.

FAMILY LIFE

The Mary River Turtle takes an exceptionally long time to reach maturity. The projected age at maturity is around 25 years for females and 30 years for males.

Nesting occurs at night on a small number of sparsely vegetated sandy banks when it has recently rained, possibly because moist sand is necessary to dig nests. Females leave the water, test the firmness of the sand, and then return to the water on nights before they dig the nest.

Each female lays one clutch of 12 to 25 eggs in a season. Females begin laying in mid October and continue throughout November. Natural incubation periods are around 50 days. Hatchlings emerge throughout December and until February.

THREATS TO OUR SURVIVAL

• Predation and lack of recruitment
• Increased number of dams and weirs – leading to decline in water quality and food availability
• Soil erosion and water pollution

What does the Green Turtle Look like?

The Green Turtle is the largest of the 6 marine turtle species living in Australian waters.

The Green Turtle is named for the colour of its body, not its shell. It has a small head and very strong front flippers.

Where does the Green Turtle live?

They are found in coastal waters, seagrass, oceans and coral reefs and Australia is one of the few remaining large nesting sites.

Fast facts:

1. All marine turtles grow slowly and take at least 30 years to reach maturity.
2. Adult Green Turtles are herbivores but the young will also eat crabs and jellyfish.

Green Turtle

The Green Turtle is the largest of the 6 marine turtle species living in Australian waters.

They are found in coastal waters, seagrass, oceans and coral reefs and Australia is one of the few remaining large nesting sites.

Green Turtles spend their entire life at sea, except for nesting females, which return to the beach to lay their eggs – the same area where they were born.

All marine turtles grow slowly and take at least 30 years to reach maturity.

Adult Green Turtles are herbivores but the young will also eat crabs and jellyfish.

The Green Turtle is named for the colour of its body, not its shell. It has a small head and very strong front flippers.

You can make your neighbourhood friendlier for Green Turtles.

Although Green Turtles don’t visit our backyards, they need our help to keep their habitat clean and healthy.

All marine turtle species are experiencing threats like pollution which impacts on their habitats.

We can all do our part in minimising the damage to our oceans and waterways.

Simple things that you do can make a huge difference to Australia’s animals. That’s why the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is running Backyard Buddies — to give you tips to help.

What is a backyard buddy?

Backyard buddies are the native animals that share our built-up areas, our beaches and waterways, our backyards and our parks. The fur seal is a backyard buddy.

Backyard buddies are also the local people who value the living things around them and are willing to protect and encourage them by doing a few simple things around their own homes.

So you can be a backyard buddy.

Be a backyard buddy

It’s easy. All you have to do is care… and take a few simple steps.

Step one is to find out what Green Turtles do and do not like.

Green Turtles love:

• Their nesting beach – they return each year to the very same spot they themselves were hatched.
• Foraging for food – they can travel more than 2,500 kms between their favourite feeding area and their nesting grounds.
  
  

But they don’t like:

• Pollution – that contaminates their habitat and food sources.
  
  
• Feral foxes, feral dogs, feral pigs – which prey on their eggs and nesting females.
  
  
• Nets and fishing lines – if they get caught in these, it can lead to death.

Be a buddy to the Green Turtle

Try to:

• limit your use of plastic – turtles can be entangled in, or ingest, non-biodegradable items like plastic bags which find their way into our oceans.
•  keep pesticides and chemicals out of your garden – the runoff can pollute turtle habitat and food sources.

Avoid:

• approaching nesting females or removing their eggs – Green Turtles are a protected species.
• throwing fishing gear and other rubbish into the ocean.
• releasing chemicals in waterways – most of them lead eventually to the ocean.

Don’t be surprised if:

• you see a Green Turtle pop its head above the water – they have lungs and must breathe air every half hour.
• you never see one! – they live in water and only come ashore to lay eggs.

Did you know:

• Green Turtles females lay a “clutch” of approximately 115 soft eggs that are round and the size of a ping-pong ball.
• Each nesting season she returns to the same beach to nest, an average of five times every two weeks.

What does the Freshwater Crocodile look like?

Unlike the big solid head of the saltwater croc, the freshwater crocodile has a small slender head and a long snout and is considerably smaller. Female freshwater crocs grow to 2m and males to 3m but it can take up to 30 years for them to reach that size so most are much smaller.

Its colour can differ depending on the environment but they are generally grey to tan-brown, with dark patches along the sides and top of the body and a creamy white belly. Like all crocs, the nostrils and eyes are on the top of the head and they have razor sharp teeth that are visible even when the mouth is shut.

Their tails make up almost half their length and have large triangular scales known as ‘scutes’ along the top. The hind legs are much larger and longer than the front legs and when resting, the croc holds its limbs tight to the body.

Where is the Freshwater Crocodile found?

It is pretty unlikely that you will find a freshwater crocodile in your backyard but it is not uncommon if you live near their habitat. The freshwater, or Johnstone’s , crocodile, lives in inland creeks, rivers, lakes and swamps across northwest Western Australia to northern Queensland.

Fast facts:

1. The Freshwater Crocodile are shy animals and not considered dangerous to humans although will bite if you accidentally jump on top of one in a river!
2. If you are keen to have a freshwater crocodile in your backyard, you may live in a state that allows them to be kept but you will need a permit.

Freshwater Crocodile

It is pretty unlikely that you will find a freshwater crocodile in your backyard but it is not uncommon if you live near their habitat. The freshwater, or Johnstone’s, crocodile, lives in inland creeks, rivers, lakes and swamps across northwest Western Australia to northern Queensland. They are shy animals and not considered dangerous to humans although will bite if you accidentally jump on top of one in a river! They mainly eat fish, crustaceans and insects but will also hunt small mammals, birds, turtles and frogs if their usual food is scarce. If you are keen to have a freshwater crocodile in your backyard, you may live in a state that allows them to be kept but you will need a permit. Check with your state or territory wildlife authority.

Fresh or Salty?

Unlike the big solid head of the saltwater croc, the freshwater crocodile has a small slender head and a long snout and is considerably smaller. Female freshwater crocs grow to 2m and males to 3m but it can take up to 30 years for them to reach that size so most are much smaller.

Its colour can differ depending on the environment but they are generally grey to tan-brown, with dark patches along the sides and top of the body and a creamy white belly. Like all crocs, the nostrils and eyes are on the top of the head and they have razor sharp teeth that are visible even when the mouth is shut.

Their tails make up almost half their length and have large triangular scales known as ‘scutes’ along the top. The hind legs are much larger and longer than the front legs and when resting, the croc holds its limbs tight to the body.

You can make your neighbourhood friendlier for freshwater crocodiles

A big threat to freshwater crocodile habitat comes from chemical and toxic runoff that can pollute the water and affect their food and water sources. By using only natural pest control methods and adding organic fertilisers to your soil, you will be helping keep the crocs happy. Exotic fish species can decimate local freshwater native fish populations, so if you no longer want your aquarium, don’t dump the fish in the nearest waterway. They may wipe out the crocs favourite food!

Simple things that you do can make a huge difference to Australia’s animals. That’s why the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is running Backyard Buddies— to give you tips to help.

What is a backyard buddy?

Backyard buddies are the native animals that share our built-up areas, our beaches and waterways, our backyards and our parks. The freshwater crocodile is a backyard buddy.

Backyard buddies are also the local people, who value the living things around them, like the freshwater crocodile, and are willing to protect and encourage them by doing a few simple things around their own homes.

So you can be a backyard buddy.

Be a backyard buddy

It’s easy. All you have to do is care… and take a few simple steps.

Step one is to find out what freshwater crocodiles do and do not like.

Freshwater crocodiles love:

Water – fresh natural waterways provides a variety of food sources, a place to hide and breed and a home.

Shallow water – they hunt by lying very still in shallow water and waiting for their prey to come close enough for them to snap them up

But they don’t like:

Garden pesticides – these contaminate their habitat and food sources

Destruction of habitat- this can limit their feeding and breeding options and also increase the distance they must travel overland to get to the next waterway,

Saltwater crocodiles – they are very aggressive towards the freshies and will drive them away from their territory

Be a buddy to the freshwater crocodile

Try to:

• observe the freshie from a safe distance!
• keep pesticides and chemicals out of your garden – the runoff can enter fresh water areas and pollute the habitat and the fish that crocodiles feed on

Avoid:

• going too near freshwater crocs – although they are not aggressive like the saltwater crocodile, they can still inflict a serious bite
• releasing chemicals in waterways.
• swimming in crocodile territory, although it is generally considered safe to swim near freshwater crocodiles

Don’t be surprised if:

• you startle a freshie and he takes off at a very fast gallop to the nearest water source
• they eat stones. This helps them digest their food
• you see one in salty water – they are occasionally found in tidal coastal waterways

What they look like:

An olive-brown reptile growing to 80mm with head variegated with black and scattered black scales on the back, a broad, dark upper side zone from below the eye to the base of the tail, scattered small white/cream spots, whitish lower flanks with scattered black scales, white belly, limbs variegated with black and throat spotted with black.

Where they live:

Corangamite Water Skinks is confined to the Dreeite region of south-western Victoria, near Lakes Bolac, Colac and Corangamite. The current distribution includes 29 sites, representing up to 11 different populations.

The preferred habitat is a geographically peculiar landform comprising basalt ridges and boulder heaps resulting from the collapse of lava tunnels. Skinks occur at localities with high shrub density, high cover of Stinging Nettle, short distances to vegetation cover, large rock aggregations, rock fissures, and permanent freshwater bodies.

Found in grassy open woodland and cleared pastures dotted with ephemeral swamps and lakes, on rocky basaltic soils. Within these areas, the lizards inhabit rocky mounds or “stony rises”, sheltering in rock crevices and man-made drystone walls. Deep rock crevices may provide moist and cover during the dry summer.

Fast Facts:

1. OUR CONSERVATION STATUS
   1. National: Endangered
   1. State: Threatened (VIC)
2. At two to three years of age female Corangamite Water Skinks are capable of producing one clutch of 2–7 live young per year around December.
3. Like its relatives, this skink is active by day, often seen perching on a rockpile or fence. Unlike other water skinks, this subspecies is extremely shy, fleeing to cover even when a human observer is tens of metres away, and rarely comes into open view while being watched.

Corangamite Water Skink

Plant a tree for me

OUR CONSERVATION STATUS

• National: Endangered
  
  
• State: Threatened (VIC)

HOW MANY OF US ARE THERE?

Population unknown

WHERE DO WE LIVE?

Corangamite Water Skinks is confined to the Dreeite region of south-western Victoria, near Lakes Bolac, Colac and Corangamite. The current distribution includes 29 sites, representing up to 11 different populations.

OUR HABITAT

The preferred habitat is a geographically peculiar landform comprising basalt ridges and boulder heaps resulting from the collapse of lava tunnels. Skinks occur at localities with high shrub density, high cover of Stinging Nettle, short distances to vegetation cover, large rock aggregations, rock fissures, and permanent freshwater bodies.

Found in grassy open woodland and cleared pastures dotted with ephemeral swamps and lakes, on rocky basaltic soils. Within these areas, the lizards inhabit rocky mounds or “stony rises”, sheltering in rock crevices and man-made drystone walls. Deep rock crevices may provide moist and cover during the dry summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

An olive-brown reptile growing to 80mm with head variegated with black and scattered black scales on the back, a broad, dark upper side zone from below the eye to the base of the tail, scattered small white/cream spots, whitish lower flanks with scattered black scales, white belly, limbs variegated with black and throat spotted with black.

Diet is mainly invertebrates such as spiders, beetles and ants, as well as aquatic prey including mayfly and dragonfly nymphs. It also consumes the fruit of the Tree Violet, which may be an important component of the diet during some periods.

Like its relatives, this skink is active by day, often seen perching on a rockpile or fence. Unlike other water skinks, this subspecies is extremely shy, fleeing to cover even when a human observer is tens of metres away, and rarely comes into open view while being watched.

FAMILY LIFE

At two to three years of age female Corangamite Water Skinks are capable of producing one clutch of 2–7 live young per year around December.

THREATS TO OUR SURVIVAL

• Land clearing and habitat fragmentation
• Removal of bush rocks
• Predation from foxes and cats
• Alteration of hydrological regimes and reduced water quality