Frilled Dragons Come Alive in Darwin.

Tim Cook

One of the most iconic animals of the Top End is not the crocodile but the Frilled Lizard or Frill-necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii) – or just Frillies. If you have never seen one of these in the wild it is possibly for one of two reasons. The first is bad timing; if you go before November or after March they are scarce. Usually in the wet season, these guys are very abundant and visible on roads, trees and on the ground feeding. The second reason might be that to they are rather clever chaps and to the see them is difficult. As you are walking along the track or driving the road, the frillies are usually waist to shoulder height on trees. They watch out for predators well and as the predator comes they circle around the other side and only their spindly legs give them away. Their camouflage does the rest. So look for two knobby knees at the height they might even do a peek a boo act with their head to check where you are too! Watch the video. (continue reading…)

During the wet season, its a bonanza for the wildlife of the Top End! The Frilled Lizard is a wonderful iconic Australian lizard. These lizards mate in early wet season and their eggs hatch from late February onwards..

The lizards often perch vertically and will move around the tree to hide from you.

At present Frilled Lizards are taking a beating as their populations has suffered greatly from Cane Toads. Odd as lizards are diurnal but the metamorph cane toads move during the day and are too enticing for frillies to pass up on, leaving them poisoned.

In December 2012, I travelled  to the land of “slugs”! No not really into slimey invertebrates, I mean large snakes (we refer to monster sized snakes as slugs). We have in past travelled to several parts of the magical snake isles Tasmania. Forget the apples (so called Apple Isles) leave that to Eve and get hold of the most amazing and gentle snakes in the country. Lowland Copperheads Austrelaps superbus are the most docile, charming venomous snake in Australia. Yes charming and docile.

This year we visited the enigmatic Ian Norton and his band of dedicated snake rescue volunteers Sally Wilson, Chris Daly, Jane Guy and Justin Kneebone . We happened to coincide with a visit to the sensational Wesley Vale where one of us visited in 2008 and only saw small snakes and plenty of skeletons as the snakes took a massive blow during the drought.

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Some sights around Brisbane.

Feeding sign near Beerwah

Inverted Orb Weaver spider species?

Beautiful marsupials that we saw near Mary Cairns Cross Rainforest walk.

Red - legged Pademelon

A huge snail crossing roads near Mt Nebo.

Carniivoorous Land Snail

large monitor lizards like Lace Monitors can be seen around the woodlands.

Lace Monitor Varanus varius

While driving at night revealed numerous species of rats, small frogs like this Rocket frog.

Rocket Frog Litoria nasuta

This bird was seen in the high tree line. I am not sure what it is, any takers?

Yellow Bird (Robin?)