Pink-tailed Legless Lizard - 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: Aprasia parapulchella

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 22 Mar 2023

Description

The Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (also known as the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard) is worm-like, with a dark-brown head and nape, gradually merging with the pale grey or grey-brown body. The tail, nearly as long as its body, is pink or reddish-brown towards the tip. Its snout and tail are both rounded. There are no external ear openings. The broad, non-forked tongue, frequently used to wipe the eyes, and the presence of small hind-limb flaps, distinguishes it from a juvenile snake. Specimens grow to about 25 cm in length.

Distribution

The Pink-tailed Legless Lizard is primarily known from the Central and Southern Tablelands and the South Western Slopes, with a confirmed outlier record on the Hay Plains north of Hay. There is a concentration of populations in the Canberra/Queanbeyan Region. Other populations have been recorded near Cooma, Yass, Bathurst, Albury and West Wyalong. This species is also found in the Australian Capital Territory.

Habitat and ecology

Inhabits sloping, open woodland areas with predominantly native grassy groundlayers, particularly those dominated by Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis).
Sites are typically well-drained, with rocky outcrops or scattered, partially-buried rocks.
Commonly found beneath small, partially-embedded rocks and appear to spend considerable time in burrows below these rocks; the burrows have been constructed by and are often still inhabited by small black ants and termites.
Feeds on the larvae and eggs of the ants with which it shares its burrows.
It is thought that this species lays 2 eggs inside the ant nests during summer; the young first appear in March.
Not all sites are rocky. For instance, on the Hay Plains the species has been recorded from a disturbed ants nest in chenopod shrubland and the West Wyalong population occurs in mallee woodland.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation.
Habitat degradation through rock removal.
Habitat degradation through pasture improvement including slashing, ploughing and sowing of non-native species.
Habitat degradation through intensive grazing by stock.
Habitat degradation through invasion of habitat by weeds or escaped pasture species.
Lack of knowledge of how habitat managment practices influence site occupancy and species persistence.
Predation by feral or domestic cats and foxes
Changed fire regimes that result in changes to vegetation structure and composition.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Keep domestic dogs and cats indoors at night.
Undertake feral animal control.
Apply fire regimes that maintain structure and floristic diversity (e.g. patch burning).
Search for the species in suitable habitat in areas that are proposed for development or management actions, and mark sites onto maps or plans.
Do not collect bush rock or remove rocks for pasture management purposes.
Do not destroy habitat and surrounding areas by ploughing.
Do not allow heavy, prolonged grazing on habitat.
Do not plant trees and shrubs into habitat.
Control invasions of weeds and pasture species (but be wary of the impact of herbicide use in habitat); where possible use methods that directly target weeds, such as spot spraying and hand removal.
Protect natural grassland remnants within the known distribution of the species.
Ensure remnant populations remain connected or linked to each other. In cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish links by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for dispersal.
Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning hazard reduction burns.

Information sources

Bennett, R. (1997) Reptiles and Frogs of the Australian Capital Territory. (National Parks Association of the ACT, Canberra)
Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Eddy, D. (2002) Managing Native Grassland: a guide to management for conservation, production and landscape protection. (World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Sydney)
Eddy, D., Mallinson, D., Rehwinkel, R and Sharp. S. (1998) Grassland Flora: a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT). (Environment ACT, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra)
Jones, S.R. (1999) Conservation biology of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard Aprasia parapulchella. PhD Thesis, University of Canberra
Murray Catchment Management Authority and Office of Environment and Heritage (2012) New South Wales Murray Biodiversity Management Plan: A guide to terrestrial biodiversity investment priorities in the central and eastern NSW Murray catchment. (Murray CMA, Albury)
Osborne, W., Lintermans, M. and Williams, K. (1991) Distribution and Conservation Status of the Endangered Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia pulchella) (Kluge). Research Report 5. (ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra)
Osborne, W.S. and Jones, S.R. (1994) Recovery plan for the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella). ACT Parks and Conservation Service Technical Report 10. (Department of Environment, Land and Planning, Tuggeranong)
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Wong, D.T.Y., Jones, S.R., Osborne, W.S., Brown, G.W., Robertson, P., Michael, D.R. and Kay, G.M. (2011) The life history and ecology of the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard Aprasia parapulchella Kluge – a review. Australian Zoologist 35(4): 927-940

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Ellerston	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Other State	ACT	Known	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bathurst	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Hill End	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Murrumbateman	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Orange	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Predicted	None

Images

Pink-tailed Legless Lizard, Ross Bennett Image 1 of 6.
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