Indicative distribution
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: Delma australis
Gazetted date:
12 Sep 2003
Profile last updated:
01 Jun 2020
Description
The Marble-faced Delma (also known as the Southern Legless Lizard) is a slender pygopid (legless lizard) that has an average snout-vent length of about nine centimetres, with the tail twice as long as the body. It is brown to reddish brown above, while the undersurface and lips are off-white or greyish. The top and sides of the head, throat and ventral surface is covered in vertical black bars, while the snout is short and rounded.
Distribution
This species is widely distributed from Western Australia, through much of South Australia extending in to the southern Northern Territory and in north western Victoria and south western NSW. In NSW, most records are either from the Scotia mallee west of the Darling River in the far south west or from the central Murray centred on Round Hill and Nombinnie Nature Reserves. Recent surveys have detected this species east of the Darling River to the north of Wentworth and, more surprisingly, in spinifex occurring on rocky hillsides to the north west of Broken Hill.
Habitat and ecology
- In NSW, appears to be restricted to temperate mallee woodlands or spinifex grasslands but elsewhwere is also found in chenopod shrublands, heathlands and buloke associated with mallee habitats or eucalypt lined watercourses. The species occupies areas with a sandy substrate but may also utilise cracking red loam soils, but has also recently been recorded in spinifex on rocky hillsides.
- Found in deep leaf litter, under rocks, logs, fallen timber or in grass clumps such as spinifex. They are considered to be terrestrial although they may climb into hummock grass and even sleep in the branches of small shrubs.
- They are generally active during the day but have been observed being active at night or around sunrise and sunset.
- They are active hunters and their main food consists of various types of insects and spiders.
- Lays two eggs in November or December which hatch after approximately 70 days.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat clearance, in particular, clearing of mallee areas containing spinifex but also heathland and riparian habitats.
- Inappropriate fire frequency, which directly affects the amount of cover provided by vegetation. Alteration of fire frequency may reduce the availability of suitable habitat and food species.
- Predation by foxes is possible given the feeding habits and activity times of this species.
- Heavy grazing and trampling of habitat and food resources by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs.
- Loss of leaf litter, surface rocks, fallen timber and bark and other ground cover, which supports not only this species but also its food species.
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
- Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
- Instil appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food sources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
- Maintain spinifex habitats and protect riparian areas.
- Retain stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
- Retain understorey shrubs, particularly associated with mallee habitats.
- Retain fallen logs as habitat, either embedded in the soil or on the surface.
- Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or shelter sites.
Information sources
- Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- Ehmann, H. (1992) Encyclopaedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles. Angus and Robertson: Sydney.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Marble-faced delma - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Robertson, P., Bennet, A.F., Lumsden, L.F., Silveira, C.E., Johnson, P.G., Yen, A.L., Milledge, G.A., Lillywhite, P.K. and Pribble H.J. (1989) Fauna of the mallee study area north-western Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute Technical Report No. 87: 1-91.
- Sass, S., Swan, G., Marshall, B., Browne, T. and Graham-Higgs, N. (in press) () Disjunct populations of spinifex-obligate reptiles revealed in a newly described vegetation community near Broken Hill, far-western New South Wales. Australian Zoologist.
- Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- Swan, M. and Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
- Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|