Eastern Fat-tailed Gecko - 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: Diplodactylus platyurus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 19 Feb 2016

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Fat-tailed Gecko is a pale fawn to reddish-brown or dark brown gecko, with fine or coarse reticulations and scattered dark or pale spots (Cogger 2000). Individuals reach approximately 80-90mm in length. It has a bulbous tail which acts as a fat storage organ. It feeds on termites and other insects and spends its days in underground holes, such as abandoned burrows of trap-door spiders, blocking the entrance with its fat tail to keep out predators and keep in moisture. It is sometimes called the Burrow-plug Gecko. Most adults have lost their original tails which are replaced with more rounded ones which make even better burrow-plugs.

Distribution

The Fat-tailed Gecko is distributed from the north coast of Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and the interior of South Australia and Queensland, to north-western New South Wales. In NSW, the species is known from a small number of specimens detected at three locations: Sturt National Park, Nocoleche Nature Reserve and Wanaaring Nature Reserve and a single record from Mutawintji National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Habitat constraints are unknown, although the species' rarity suggests that it is highly specialised in its use of habitat. The recent record collected from Sturt National Park was from riverine habitat (R.A. Sadlier, pers. comm.). It is also known to shelter in vertical spider burrows and cracks in the ground.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Trampling by livestock, especially where stock aggregate close to waterways, disturbs soil structure and litter cover.
Overgrazing by feral and domestic stock.
Lack of knowledge on the species threats and management requirements in NSW

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

Retain sticks and leaf litter for food and shelter.
Retain understorey shrubs continuing their complete life cycle.
Retain fallen logs.
Monitor and appropriately manage all known populations
Conduct baseline surveys to locate new populations and extend the ranges of known populations.

Information sources

Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Fat-tailed diplodactylus - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Known	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Predicted	None