The Great Desert Skink is a large burrowing lizard that can grow up to 44 cm long and weigh up to 350 g. The species has reddish-tan smooth scales, with creamy-lemony flanks and a yellow belly. One of their Aboriginal names – Mulyamiji – means ‘red nose’ .
Great Desert Skink |
Liopholis kintorei
Status: Vulnerable on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Liopholis kintorei
Threat factor Threat type Evidence base and status Predation Predation after current Fire in spinifex grasslands adversely affects the great desert loss of skink.
Conservation progress can be identified through a reduction in predation by feral cats at identified key populations. a reduction in the frequency and size of fire within the species habitat; particularly within the location of identified key populations; and population increases demonstrated at the identified key populations through systematic monitoring of burrow system occupancy (used as an index for abundance).
However additional research priorities include Determining the best fire regime within non spinifex habitats that leads to sustained or increased populations of great desert skink.
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