Striped 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: Delma impar

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 11 Nov 2025

Description

The Striped Legless Lizard differs most obviously from a snake in having external ear openings, small scaly flaps for hind limbs, a long tail and a broad, undivided tongue. It is pale grey-brown above, with a darker head, and almost white below. The most distinguishing characteristic is a pattern of light and dark parallel lines running along the length of the body, although these may be very pale or even absent in some individuals. This parallel stripe pattern breaks up into a diagonal pattern on the tail. They grow to about 30 cm in length, with up to three-quarters of this being the tail.

Delma inornata overlaps in distribution, and can appear similar to Delma impar specimens that occasionally lack stripes. The best known difference between these taxa is the fusion or partial fusion of the nasal and first supra-labial scale in Delma impar, and the clear separation of these scales in Delma inornata.

Populations in the Hunter and Liverpool Plains formerly considered as Delma impar are now considered to be Delma vescolineata, a species listed as Endangered under NSW and Commonwealth legislation.

Distribution

The Striped Legless Lizard is currently known to occur in the Southern Tablelands, the South West Slopes and possibly on the Riverina. Populations are known in the Goulburn, Yass, Queanbeyan, Cooma and Tumut areas. The species also occurs in the ACT, Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.

Habitat and ecology

Found mainly in Natural Temperate Grassland but has also been captured in grasslands that have a high exotic component.
Also found in secondary grassland near Natural Temperate Grassland and occasionally in open Box-Gum Woodland.
Habitat is where grassland is dominated by perennial, tussock-forming grasses such as Kangaroo Grass Themeda australis, spear-grasses Austrostipa spp. and poa tussocks Poa spp., and occasionally wallaby grasses Austrodanthonia spp.
Sometimes present in modified grasslands with a significant content of exotic grasses.
Sometimes found in grasslands with significant amounts of surface rocks, which are used for shelter.
Sometimes utilises dried cowpats for shelter.
Actively hunts for spiders, crickets, moth larvae and cockroaches.
Two papery eggs are laid in early summer.
Goes below ground or under rocks or logs over winter.

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 pasture improvement including rock removal, slashing, ploughing and sowing of non-native species.
Habitat degradation through invasion of habitat by weeds or escaped pasture species.
Habitat degradation through intensive grazing by stock.
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

Undertake feral animal control.
Avoid burning sites known to support this species until research on the impact of fire on the lizards and their prey has been undertaken.
Survey for the species in suitable habitat in areas that are proposed for development or where changes in management actions are proposed, and mark sites onto maps or plans. If found, advise land manager of appropriate management actions.
Retain and protect natural grassland remnants within the known distribution of the species.
Do not collect bush rock or remove rocks for pasture management purposes.
Do not destroy habitat and surrounding areas by ploughing.
If grassland management activities are considered necessary (mowing, grazing, slashing), undertake during the colder months when the lizards are less active.
Do not allow heavy, prolonged grazing on habitat
Until impacts of fire on this species and its prey are known, use grazing as a means to control biomass.
Do not plant trees and shrubs into habitat or adjacent to habitat where shading or the spread of wildings into the grassland may occur.
Prevent domestic cats and dogs from roaming into areas of 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.
Ensure remnant populations remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish links by revegetating sites with grassland species to act as stepping stones for dispersal.
Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning hazard reduction burns.

Information sources

ACT Government (1997) Striped Legless Lizard (Delmar impar): a vulnerable species. Action Plan No.2. Environment ACT.
Bennett, R. (1997) Reptiles and Frogs of the Australian Capital Territory. (National Parks Association of the ACT, Canberra)
Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
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)
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

NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	South of the Mid-Western Highway
Other State	ACT	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bathurst	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bondo	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kanangra	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kybeyan-Gourock	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Murrumbateman	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Predicted	None