Australia is home to an incredible diversity of lizards, and Queensland is no exception. From tropical rainforests and rocky uplands to dry woodlands and sandy inland habitats, Queensland’s varied landscapes support an extraordinary range of reptiles. To celebrate World Lizard Day, we’re showcasing 11 fascinating lizards photographed across Queensland.
1. Ingram’s Ctenotus (Ctenotus ingrami)
Found across dry woodlands of inland Queensland and New South Wales, Ingram’s Ctenotus is a member of the incredibly diverse Ctenotus genus. With more than 100 recognised species, Ctenotus is one of Australia’s most species-rich lizard genera.
2. Brigalow Nobbi Dragon (Diphoriphora phaeospinosa)
This Queensland endemic has a highly restricted distribution in central Queensland. The Brigalow Nobbi Dragon is associated with forests, woodlands and heaths growing on sandstone escarpments and plateaux.
3. Broad-banded Sand-swimmer (Eremiascincus richardsonii)
This fascinating skink is adapted to life in a variety of environments, from tropical forests with abundant leaf litter to sandy desert landscapes. Broad-banded Sand-swimmers are generally crepuscular to nocturnal, spending the hotter parts of the day sheltering before emerging to forage.
4. Eastern Robust Slider (Lerista punctatovittata)
The Lerista genus is one of Australia’s most diverse lizard groups, with nearly 100 species. These fossorial skinks are well adapted to “swimming” through sandy substrates and dense leaf litter, spending much of their lives hidden beneath the surface.
5. Boyd’s Forest Dragon (Lophosaurus boydii)
A Queensland icon, Boyd’s Forest Dragon is one of only two species of forest dragon found in Australia. Endemic to the Wet Tropics, these secretive dragons can be surprisingly difficult to spot, often remaining motionless while clinging to tree trunks in their rainforest homes.
6. Gilbert Ground Gecko (Lucasium iris)
Gilbert Ground Gecko is Queensland’s only endemic ground gecko. It has a highly restricted distribution in the Einasleigh Uplands, where it occurs in dry, stony Acacia woodlands, often with Spinifex forming part of the ground layer.
7. Spiny Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus asper)
With their chunky bodies and distinctive reduced tails, knob-tailed geckos are some of Australia’s most charismatic reptiles. Spiny Knob-tailed Geckos are adapted to dry inland environments, where they shelter in burrows during the day and emerge at night to hunt arthropods and even small geckos.
8. Silver-eared Velvet Gecko (Oedura argentea)
Velvet Geckos are a distinctly Australian group, with many species associated with rocky habitats and dry woodlands. They get their name from the characteristically soft, smooth and velvety feel of their skin, which differs from the rougher, more pronounced scales found on many other lizard species. The Silver-eared Velvet Gecko is one of Queensland’s distinctive velvet geckos and forms part of the state’s impressive reptile diversity.
9. Elegant Velvet Gecko (Oedura elegans)
Another member of Queensland’s diverse velvet gecko fauna, the Elegant Velvet Gecko is associated with rocky habitats and dry woodland environments.
10. Arcadia Velvet Gecko (Oedura lineata)
Another highly range-restricted Queensland species, the Arcadia Velvet Gecko occurs within a small area of the central Queensland Brigalow Belt. During the day, it can shelter beneath the bark of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) trees before emerging at night.
11. Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus taenicauda)
One of Australia’s most striking geckos, the Golden-tailed Gecko certainly lives up to its name. Its vivid orange eyes and golden-orange tail contrast dramatically with its boldly spotted body. This Brigalow Belt specialist favours dry woodland habitats.
A glimpse into Queensland’s reptile diversity
These 11 species represent only a tiny fraction of Queensland’s remarkable lizard diversity. From rainforest specialists like Boyd’s Forest Dragon to fossorial skinks and dry-country geckos, each species is shaped by the environment in which it lives.
They are also a reminder of why understanding and protecting habitat is so important. The survival of Queensland’s reptiles depends not only on protecting individual species, but also on maintaining the forests, woodlands, rocky habitats, leaf litter, fallen timber and other habitat features they rely on.
So next time you’re exploring Queensland’s landscapes, keep an eye out. You never know what might be hiding beneath a log, in the leaf litter or clinging to a tree trunk.
