Five-clawed Worm-skink - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Anomalopus mackayi

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Five-clawed Worm Skink is a brown-coloured burrowing lizard up to 27 cm long, that has a long worm-like body and very short limbs. The front limbs have three toes while the hind limbs have two toes. It can be distinguished from the more common Two-clawed Worm-skink (Anomalopus leukartii) which has only two toes on the front limbs.

Distribution

Patchy distribution on the North West Slopes and Plains of north-east NSW and south-east Queensland, from the Ashford area west to Mungindi and Walgett in NSW and north to Dalby in Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Close to or on the lower slopes of slight rises in grassy White Box woodland on moist black soils, and River Red Gum-Coolibah-Bimble Box woodland on deep cracking loose clay soils. May also occur in grassland areas and open paddocks with scattered trees.
Live in permanent deep tunnel-like burrows and deep soil cracks, coming close to the surface under fallen timber and litter, especially partially buried logs.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for agriculture and development.
Trampling of habitat by domestic stock.
Disturbance of soil structure through cropping.
Removal of fallen timber for firewood.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds such as Coolatai Grass.
Insufficient understanding of distribution and abundance.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Practice sustainable grazing to maintain tussock grass ground cover in areas of known or potential habitat.
Leave fallen timber and litter on ground in areas of known habitat.
Control environmental weeds.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing, fragmentation or disturbance.
Expand and connect dry woodland remnants and encourage the regeneration of degraded habitat.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
Sadlier, R.A. and Pressey, R.L. (1994) Reptiles and amphibians of particular conservation concern in the Western Division of New South Wales: A preliminary review. Biological Conservation 69(1): 41-54
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Predicted	North of latitude 30 degrees 40 minutes south
Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Outwash	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Inverell Basalts	Known	None
Nandewar	Kaputar	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None

Images

Five-clawed Worm-skink Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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