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We are managing a $1m project to protect these tiny lizards. This 6-year project, which is jointly funded by Googong Township and the NSW Government Saving Our Species Fund, will support an extensive conservation program.

Meet the pink-tailed worm lizard

Pink-tailed Worm-lizard by Damian Michael
Photo courtesy of CSU ecologist Dr Damien Michael

Pink-tailed worm lizards (Aprasia parapulchella) are one of Australia’s tiniest and most mysterious reptiles.

They spend much of their lives underground in ant nests, where they feed on ant eggs and larvae.

Females generally lay 2 eggs in a clutch a year, and hatchlings can take up to four years to reach maturity.

Adults can grow up to 24 cm long. They have a dark head, grey-brown body, and a pinkish tail that they can drop to escape predators and then re-grow.

Pink-tailed worm lizards are legless, so they are easy to confuse with baby snakes. Please don’t handle them!

If you do see a pink-tailed worm lizard, please get a photo and log details of your sighting with us, or with a citizen science website like the Canberra Nature Map (canberra.naturemapr.org).

Projects

  • Googong aprasia and box-gum woodland

Tags

  • aprasia
  • pick-tailer worm lizard
  • Molonglo

News

13/09/2020

Ten ways to improve the natural assets on a farm

19/08/2020

Keep your fallen timber and dead trees

01/06/2020

Vegwatch review 2020

08/04/2020

Removal of critical rock habitat threatens biodiversity
What can you find in a woodland?

31/03/2020

On the Queanbeyan River with David

21/03/2020

Let’s Go and Explore

09/03/2020

Work continues on TSRs despite Covid-19

13/12/2019

CIT class of 2019 reports on health of local TSRs

17/11/2019

Do you have Box Gum Woodland on your property?

23/08/2019

TSR project kicks off with woodlands walk

30/07/2019

The local heroes who spend weekends getting their hands dirty in Canberra’s creeks, waterways and bushlands

26/07/2019

Save our pink-tailed worm lizard
National Landcare ProgrammeMolonglo Conservation Group acknowledges the funding assistance provided through the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme Regional Investment Strategy, various ACT Government environment and heritage programs, and various NSW Government programs. This site is managed by Molonglo Conservation Group
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