New Research: Reptiles on the brink

Slithering serpents! Did you know that Australia is home to around 10 percent of the world’s reptile species – the largest number of any country?

Queensland Museum herpetologists Patrick Couper and Dr Andrew Amey recently contributed to the first comprehensive study on snakes and lizards which found 11 species are likely to become extinct by 2040 including the McIlwraith Leaf-tailed Gecko, Orraya occultus,  Cape Melville Leaf-tailed Gecko, Saltuarius eximius, Lyons Grassland Striped Skink, Austroablepharus barrylyoni, Gravel Downs Ctenotus, Ctenotus serotinus, Allan’s Lerista, Lerista allanae and the Fassifern Valley Blind Snake, Anilios insperatus which were all described by Queensland Museum scientists.

If you’re interested in reading more about this research read the full paper here.

Long-necked Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Orraya occultus.  © Queensland Museum, Jeff Wright.
Long-necked Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Orraya occultus. © Queensland Museum, Jeff Wright.
Image credit: Threatened Species Recovery Hub

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