* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Friday, May 9, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Fall 2025 TV Schedule: Your Guide to the Complete Lineup – Wyoming News Now

    Get Ready for Fall 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to the Exciting TV Lineup!

    Blackstone River Theatre presents music from Scotland with Cantrip – The Valley Breeze

    Experience the Enchanting Sounds of Scotland: Cantrip Takes the Stage at Blackstone River Theatre!

    The viral wireless audio dongle for in-flight entertainment just got a big upgrade – and I love it – ZDNET

    Game-Changer for In-Flight Entertainment: The Upgraded Wireless Audio Dongle You’ll Love!

    Tahoe City Downtown Association opens 4th of July Entertainment Grant Program – Sierra Sun

    Celebrate Independence Day: Tahoe City Launches Exciting 4th of July Entertainment Grant Program!

    WEBTOON Entertainment Revolutionizes Webcomic Discovery with Innovative New Personalization Features and Product Updates – Business Wire

    Unlocking a New Era of Webcomic Discovery: WEBTOON’s Exciting Personalization Features and Updates!

    What does Gen Z consider entertainment? – The Drum

    Unlocking Gen Z’s Entertainment Preferences: What Captivates the Next Generation

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

    Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

    Trump administration set to overhaul Biden’s AI chip export regulations – TechHQ

    Trump administration set to overhaul Biden’s AI chip export regulations – TechHQ

    Technology is the key to empathy in insurance – InsuranceNewsNet

    Unlocking Empathy: How Technology is Transforming the Insurance Experience

    Technology – Inflexion

    Revolutionizing the Future: The Impact of Cutting-Edge Technology

    Outdated technology and stress-related absences contribute to Newark Airport chaos – Travel Weekly

    How Outdated Technology and Stress Are Fueling Chaos at Newark Airport

    Tech & AI LIVE London: Q&A with IBM’s Nabeel Nawaz – Technology Magazine

    Tech & AI LIVE London: Q&A with IBM’s Nabeel Nawaz – Technology Magazine

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Fall 2025 TV Schedule: Your Guide to the Complete Lineup – Wyoming News Now

    Get Ready for Fall 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to the Exciting TV Lineup!

    Blackstone River Theatre presents music from Scotland with Cantrip – The Valley Breeze

    Experience the Enchanting Sounds of Scotland: Cantrip Takes the Stage at Blackstone River Theatre!

    The viral wireless audio dongle for in-flight entertainment just got a big upgrade – and I love it – ZDNET

    Game-Changer for In-Flight Entertainment: The Upgraded Wireless Audio Dongle You’ll Love!

    Tahoe City Downtown Association opens 4th of July Entertainment Grant Program – Sierra Sun

    Celebrate Independence Day: Tahoe City Launches Exciting 4th of July Entertainment Grant Program!

    WEBTOON Entertainment Revolutionizes Webcomic Discovery with Innovative New Personalization Features and Product Updates – Business Wire

    Unlocking a New Era of Webcomic Discovery: WEBTOON’s Exciting Personalization Features and Updates!

    What does Gen Z consider entertainment? – The Drum

    Unlocking Gen Z’s Entertainment Preferences: What Captivates the Next Generation

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

    Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

    Trump administration set to overhaul Biden’s AI chip export regulations – TechHQ

    Trump administration set to overhaul Biden’s AI chip export regulations – TechHQ

    Technology is the key to empathy in insurance – InsuranceNewsNet

    Unlocking Empathy: How Technology is Transforming the Insurance Experience

    Technology – Inflexion

    Revolutionizing the Future: The Impact of Cutting-Edge Technology

    Outdated technology and stress-related absences contribute to Newark Airport chaos – Travel Weekly

    How Outdated Technology and Stress Are Fueling Chaos at Newark Airport

    Tech & AI LIVE London: Q&A with IBM’s Nabeel Nawaz – Technology Magazine

    Tech & AI LIVE London: Q&A with IBM’s Nabeel Nawaz – Technology Magazine

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Australian lizard species rediscovered following extinction fears

July 2, 2023
in Science
Australian lizard species rediscovered following extinction fears
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Australian lizard species rediscovered following extinction fears

Following a confirmed sighting in 1969, the Victorian grassland earless dragon was only known from drawings and museum collections until the rediscovery. Credit: public domain image by John James Wild via Museums Victoria

A rare lizard has been rediscovered 50 years after it was last seen.

Had it become extinct, the Victorian grassland earless dragon would have been the first known reptile from mainland Australia to have been lost. Its rediscovery gives a second chance to help it avoid this fate.

It’s not a myth: this Australian dragon is very much alive.

Having not been seen since 1969, there were concerns that the Victorian grassland earless dragon was extinct. The expansion of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, as well as the spread of invasive predators like foxes and cats, were thought to have wiped the species out.

However, renewed searches of its former habitat have revealed that the dragon is still alive and well. While its exact location is being kept secret, efforts are already underway to work out how best to help the reptile recover.

Ingrid Stitt, the state of Victoria’s Minister for the Environment, says, “This is an amazing discovery and offers an opportunity for us to recover a species once thought lost to our state and the world.

“With the help of our partners we will continue to fight the extinction of this Critically Endangered species, ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard.”

What threats does this lizard face?

Like many native Australian species, the Victorian grassland earless dragon hasn’t fared well with the changes to Australia’s ecosystems in the past few hundred years.

Some of the most major changes have come about because of the introduction of invasive species. Cats, for instance, were introduced as pets by European settlers in the late 1700s, giving rise to large feral populations that consume around 240 million native Australian animals every year.

Despite living in spider burrows and having rows of spiky scales along its body, the dragon has not been safe from these predators, which have driven its population down.

At the same time, Australia has become increasingly more urban. The growth of cities such as Melbourne means that just 1% of the grassland that the dragon used to call home remains, with those sites in areas that are likely to be developed in the coming years.

Despite these pressures, however, concern over the fate of the species wasn’t perhaps as high as it should be. This is because the species was conflated with two close relatives that lived elsewhere, so its population wasn’t thought to have been as perilously low as it actually was.

In 2019, a study revealed that the Victorian grassland earless dragon was a species in its own right, more formally known as Tympanocryptis pinguicolla. With surveys at the sites of unconfirmed sightings in 1988 and 1990 having drawn blanks, it highlighted the need for urgent work to better understand these reptiles.

Importantly, it noted that while the species was certainly at risk of extinction, it couldn’t be declared extinct until all potential habitats had been checked. Four years later, these surveys have finally resulted in the lizard’s rediscovery.

Supporting Australia’s threatened wildlife

Rediscovering an extinct Australian species isn’t entirely unprecedented. Leadbeater’s possum, a mammal found only in Victoria’s highlands, was rediscovered in the 1960s after being presumed lost in the early twentieth century.

However, the possum remains Critically Endangered despite over 60 years of efforts to bolster its population. It’s hoped that by moving quickly, the Victorian grassland earless dragon will be able to avoid the same issues.

The first step is to find out how many of the reptiles are left, with the Australian government investing just shy of A$100,000 to train sniffer dogs to seek them out.

Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, says, “It’s such exciting news that the Victorian grassland earless dragon has been rediscovered, and it’s a reminder about why it’s so important to invest in habitat restoration and the eradication of feral species like cats and foxes.”

“To best support the recovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon, we have to know where they are. Detection dogs are an effective and non-invasive way to find this highly cryptic and critically endangered lizard in the wild.”

Meanwhile, Zoos Victoria is set to establish a captive breeding program for the animals in the hope that they can boost the dragon’s wild population, amid the development of a wider species recovery plan.

In this, the dragon follows in the footsteps of two other Australian reptiles, the Christmas Island blue-tailed skink and the Christmas Island chained gecko, both of which come from the territory which gives them their name.

Their numbers have risen after being taken into captivity to prevent them going the same way as the Christmas Island whiptail-skink, which was wiped out by invasive species.

By taking proactive action, it’s hoped that Australia’s unique and fragile biodiversity will be better able to tolerate challenges in the years to come.

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here.

Citation:
Australian lizard species rediscovered following extinction fears (2023, July 1)
retrieved 2 July 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-06-australian-lizard-species-rediscovered-extinction.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Phys.org – https://phys.org/news/2023-06-australian-lizard-species-rediscovered-extinction.html

Tags: Australianlizardscience
Previous Post

Peter Andre feels pressure being in the public eye but ‘doesn’t mind it’

Next Post

Europe’s space telescope launches to target universe’s dark mysteries

Beyond the bust: How Ecology spill responders ensure safety after illegal drug operations – Department of Ecology – State of Washington (.gov)

After the Bust: How Ecology Responders Safeguard Communities from Illegal Drug Operations

May 9, 2025
MasterClass Announces Skin Health: A Science-Backed Guide to Healthy Skin – Morningstar

Unlock Radiant Skin: Discover the Science-Backed Secrets to Healthy Skin with MasterClass!

May 9, 2025
Scientists reel as turmoil roils National Science Foundation – NPR

Chaos Unleashed: The National Science Foundation Faces Unprecedented Turmoil

May 9, 2025
Andaz Miami Beach Debut Marks First New Opening for Hyatt Lifestyle Group – Travel Market Report

Hyatt Lifestyle Group Unveils Its First New Gem: Andaz Miami Beach!

May 9, 2025
80th anniversary of the end of World War II – NEWS10 ABC

Commemorating 80 Years of Peace: Reflecting on the End of World War II

May 9, 2025
Tennesseans have economic worry, oppose tariffs but back deportation efforts, poll finds – The Tennessean

Tennesseans Express Economic Concerns: Support for Deportation Efforts Amidst Opposition to Tariffs

May 9, 2025
Fall 2025 TV Schedule: Your Guide to the Complete Lineup – Wyoming News Now

Get Ready for Fall 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to the Exciting TV Lineup!

May 9, 2025

NYU Langone Health Further Expands World-Class Offerings in Suffolk County with New Ambulatory Care Facility in Westhampton Beach – NYU Langone Health

May 8, 2025
Trump changes his tune on speedy trade deals: From the Politics Desk – NBC News

Trump changes his tune on speedy trade deals: From the Politics Desk – NBC News

May 8, 2025
Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

Air Force Invests in Whisper’s Ultraquiet Propulsion Technology – FLYING Magazine

May 8, 2025

Categories

Archives

May 2025
MTWTFSS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Apr    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (593)
  • Economy (604)
  • Entertainment (21,517)
  • General (15,210)
  • Health (9,646)
  • Lifestyle (609)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (607)
  • Politics (611)
  • Science (15,826)
  • Sports (21,114)
  • Technology (15,594)
  • World (594)

Recent News

Beyond the bust: How Ecology spill responders ensure safety after illegal drug operations – Department of Ecology – State of Washington (.gov)

After the Bust: How Ecology Responders Safeguard Communities from Illegal Drug Operations

May 9, 2025
MasterClass Announces Skin Health: A Science-Backed Guide to Healthy Skin – Morningstar

Unlock Radiant Skin: Discover the Science-Backed Secrets to Healthy Skin with MasterClass!

May 9, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version