Eared Worm-Lizard. Photo by Alix Baltais, Nature Glenelg Trust (http://natureglenelg.org.au/)
Status – Critically Endangered
A species perhaps with an identity crisis, this is another animal whose name doesn’t do it any favours in garnering attention for the urgent conservation action necessary to haul it back from the brink of extinction. As the name suggests, it is a reptile that happens to have a passing resemblance to a worm, but sets itself apart from the wriggling invertebrate by force of it having ears, which in fact are simply two openings on either side of its head covered by a simple scale flap. Previously considered to be restricted to a tiny corner of the state of Victoria in Australia, it has since been recorded from parts of the adjacent state of South Australia. Its area of occurrence in Victoria is estimated to be less than 60 km², where it seems to be reliant on habitat that has not been burned for at least 40 years – an increasingly rare characteristic in Australia’s fire-prone landscape. A core population occurs in one nature reserve that protects a pocket of the unique Australian mallee scrub vegetation and woodland preferred by the species, but recent targeted surveys have uncovered isolated and scattered satellite populations in diverse habitats which suggest that this tiny reptile might be more tenacious than previously anticipated. Little is known about the ecology of this enigmatic species as it rarely comes to the surface, instead spending its time burrowing through sandy soils and leaf litter where it probably feeds on ant eggs and larvae. The lack of data on the dietary or habitat needs of the species inhibit conservation action since it is not known why the species has become so rare (although it is probably linked to conversion of native habitat for agricultural purposes), but efforts should focus now on fire prevention in the reserve where it occurs and protection of the satellite populations from the ever-present threat of habitat destruction.
GOING THE WAY OF THE DINOSAURS... 