Delma sp. (genus)

13 A legless lizard at Pialligo, ACT

Request use of media

Identification history

Delma sp. (genus)

4 Nov 2021

WillO

Identify this sighting

Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User's notes

was still alive while being eaten on one occasion. Saw 2 being delivered by the Nankeen Kestrel parents to their 5 fledglings at different times.

4 comments

wombey wrote:

1 Nov 2021

Well, I'm happy it is a Delma but these images are not clear enough for me to tell if it is impar. It could be inornata from what I can see?

WillO wrote:

1 Nov 2021

This is really useful information RodDeb. Yes I agree with JW could be D. inornata. Seems to be at least two different individuals that have been brought in by the birds in your photographs? Unfortunately none of the photos show the upper tail and back that would help us id to species. If you have a photo that shows more of the upper side of the lizards would you mind posting that as well (or alternatively email to me a: Will.Osborne@canberra.edu.au). The yellow colour on the underside doesn't help separate the two species (impar and inornata) but the complete lack of any sign of stripes, dark dashes etc makes me think that at least one of these individuals (the thicker one) is Delma inornata. We have confirmed a Delma impar captured by prey by the same Kestrels at the same location? a couple of days ago on CNM. Thanks, Will.

RodDeb wrote:

1 Nov 2021

Hi Will I have checked the other photos we have of the lizard but none show the upper tail or back. Have also sent an email with some other info that may or may not prove useful.
Thanks for all your hard work. Regards Rod

WillO wrote:

4 Nov 2021

After checking photos and films provided by Rod and Deb it is clear these are legless lizards in the genus Delma. One of the individuals is very likely to be D. inornata. However, without a closer look at the back pattern we cannot confirm this record to species. The photos and films are excellent and I congratulate Rod and Deb for the record. I would encourage other users to submit any photographic records of birds of prey that they may have if they clearly show a reptile prey. This is useful data that may not give the precise location that the prey came from but will provide useful ecological data. Thanks again for submitting the record.

Please Login or Register to comment.