REPTILES : 117 species of reptile have been recorded in Victoria.

Australia has more than 1000 species, but Victoria with its wide range of habitats from alpine to semi arid contains a representative sample of this diversity.

The following is a list of some of the commoner species and those that have been encountered during birding tours in Victoria. Herping is a different gig to birding. Lifting rocks and logs, spotlighting on warm humid nights and eyes trained to another world, however reptiles and amphibians are encountered quite regularly during birding days especially during the warmer months.

Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii) Carapce up to 30-34 cms , this pale olivy brown Turtle has a shorter neck than other Turtles in the inland river systems. Found along the Murray and its major tributaries and lakes

Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) This freshwater turtle is brown to black above with a long thin neck and a shell size up to 25 cms. It is widespread in Victoria, and can travel far in search of water when wetlands dry up.

Tesselated Gecko (Diplodactylus tesellatus) A nocturnal inhabitant of cracking grey soils on the floodplains and adjacent grasslands of northern and north-western Victoria. Occasionally encountered whilst spotlighting for Plains-wanderer in native grasslands.

Gibber Gecko (Lucasium byrnie) Not recorded in Victoria, but seen sometimes on the Hay plain in NSW when looking for Plains-wanderer. This would be on the edge of its range which extends through the gibber desert areas further inland

Beaded Gecko (Lucasium damaeum) A pale red/brown to pink gecko with numeraous pael spots on the flanks and legs. Quite common in sandy areas of the north-west where it forages on the ground at night

Marbled Gecko (Christinus marmoratus) Our commonest Gecko found right across northern and central Victoria
Olive Legless Lizard (Delma inornata) Found throughout northern Victoria mainly in grassy woodlands and grasslands but not in the mallee. Diurnal and shelters under rocks, logs and dense vegetation, grows up to 50cm total length

Hooded Scalyfoot (Pygopus schraderi) An endangered species in Victoria where it occurs in native grasslands and some Black box woodlands of the north-west. Nocturnal and shelters in a burrow. Active on warm summer nights and sometimes seen when spotlighting for Plains-wanderers

Regal Striped Skink (Ctenotus regius) Found in the far north-west of Victoria where we encounter it in the mallee spinifex habitats of Hattah NP and Murray-Sunset NP.

Cunningham's Skink (Egernia cunninghami) This large skink, up to 37 cms long, is found amongst rocky outcrops. Diurnal and sun loving.
Eastern Tree Skink (Egernia striolata) Another diurnal heliotherm and may be seen basking near its home. Occurs mostly along the Murray river and also some nearby rocky outcrops.

Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti) One of the many small skinks in Victoria, this species is the commonest and most widespread. It is sun loving and conspicuous, being active during the daytime.

Delicate Skink (Lampropholis delicata) similar to the Garden Skink though a more uniform chocolate brown rather than greyish, and less conspicuous. Found throughout Gippsland and also in the Little Desert Weasel Skink (Saproscincus mustelinus) Fairly common through Gippsland and around Melbourne in damp areas. Quite secretive usually hiding amongst rotting timber or leaf litter. Has distinct white spots on the side of the head and a russet stripe over each hip down to the tail base White’s Skink (Liopholis whitii) Widespread in Vic except for the north and north-west. The liopholus skinks are medium to large. White’s skinks are terrestrial, making burrows, and active in the day. They have 3 distinct colour forms, pictured is the commonest “spot backed”.

Yellow-bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei) Found in Eastern Victoria, it is similar to the Southern Water Skink but with a bright yellow ventral surface. A warm temperate species, preferring the sunny sides of valleys where it overlaps with the Southern Water Skink. It is largely terrestrial, and often but not always lives near water, which it happily leaps into to escape danger.

Southern Water Skink (Eulamprus tympanum) Similar to the Yellow-bellied Water Skink, but is darker and patterning is more subdued. Occurs across much of southern Victoria , a cool temperate species which will also live away from surface water.

Boulenger’s Skink (Morethia boulengeri) Very common and widespread across northern Victoria, skinks in the genus Morethia have relatively long well developed limbs

Shingleback/Stumpy-tail (Tiliqua rugose) Common and widespread in western Victoria. Long-lived and although solitary much of the time, they form monogamous bonds with pairs following each other around during the spring. Easily identified by its large scales and short tail. Grows to around 38cms

Eastern Blue-Tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) Found across central and southern Victoria. Often basks on roads where some get hit by cars. It’s threat display involves sticking out it’s blue tongue. Has a banded pattern across the back, different to the blotched pattern of its close relative the Southern Blue-tongue

Western Blue-tongue (Tiliqua occipitalis) Restricted to the north west of Vic

Jacky Lizard or Tree Dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) Widespread and fairly common in drier habitats of southern and central VIctoria. Active during the day. Grows to around 35 cms of which two thirds is tail.

Common Nobbi Dragon (Diporiphora nobbi) Found in the north-west mallee country, grows to around 30cms, two thirds of which is tail. Active in the day and semi arboreal. Males have two yellow lateral stripes. Both sexes have a small nuchal crest and spines on the body
Painted Dragon (Ctenophorus pictus) Grows to 18cms, only found in the north west mallee country. Active in the day and feeds on ants. The males are quite colourful especially when breeding
Mallee Military Dragon (Ctenophorus fordi) Commonly seen in the spinifex habitat of the mallee. Quite small it grows to around 17cms of which two thirds is tail

Gippsland Water Dragon ( Intellagama lesuerii howittii ) Victoria’s largest “dragon”, growing to 90cms. They live in small groups. usually on the side of a watercourse. Their pronounced vertebral crest runs the entire length of their body and tail. Found in Central and East Gippsland plus also escaped pets are established along the Yarra river near Melbourne

Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata) Found across northern and western Victoria except for the mallee where it is replaced by the Central Bearded Dragon. Often sits up on fence posts to sunbath

Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Sand Goanna (Gould’s Monitor) (Varanus gouldii) Found in scattered locations across northern and north-west Victoria. Sand Goannas are more terrestrial than the slightly larger Lace Monitor, rarely climbing trees. Paler colouring overall compared with Lace Monitor and an all yellow tail tip, reaching up to 1.5metres in length

Lace Monitor or Tree Goanna (Varanus varius) The largest Victorian lizard reaching up to 1.9 metres in length and 14 kilos. Found throughout Gippsland, the inland slopes and along the Murray river country

Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) Found along the Murray river and adjacent rocky outcrops. Scattered and localised. Nocturnal, but do bask in the daytime. Rest in hollow logs or in tree hollows. Max length 3 metres
Lowlands Copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) Copperheads are among the most cold tolerant of snakes, active even at 16 degrees. One of southern Victoria’s commonest snakes, and often found near wetlands where frogs are an important part of the diet. They are generally docile but bites can be fatal

Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) Widespread in VIctoria except for the dry parts of the north-west. Commonly near water where it preys on frogs, and readily swims. Many individuals do not show the banded coloration. Dangerously venemous, and responsible for more fatalities than any other snake in VIctoria

Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriachus) Quite a common snake in central and eastern VIctoria where it occupies a wide range of habitats. A large snake usually around 1.5 metres long, it is considered dangerous whilst being generally docile

Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) Found across much of Victoria, but doesn’t thrive in the coldest wettest areas. A long but slender snake reaching up to 2m. Fast moving and mostly terrestrial they prey on a variety of lizards, and rodents etc Venomous and highly dangerous, bites can be fatal.


Curl Snake (Suta Suta) Localised, found in the north and west in chenopod shrublands and grasslands often associated with Black Box woodlands. Shelters in cracks in the ground and feeds at night. Curl snakes reach up to 60cm in length. Venomous and should be treated with caution. Occasionally encountered whilst spotlighting for Plains-wanderer

White-lipped Snake (Drysdalia coronoides) A small snake up to 45cms, common and widespread in southern Victoria. Variable in colour but a diagnostic white stripe along the upper lip. Venomous and should be treated with caution. Readily bites if handled

Little Whip Snake (Parasuta flagellum) Another small snake growing up to 40cms. Found in the lowlands, especially grasslands of central and SW Vic. Venomous and should be treated with caution. Orange-brown with black finely edged scales, black patch on top of head and separate black patch on snout.

Over 30 species of frog are found in Victoria. The FROG ID App developed by the Australian Museum is a great tool for help in identifying frogs. Calls can be recorded, submitted and identified by the museum staff.

Here are a few of the commoner species encountered- most can be identified by their distinct calls

Growling Grass Frog (Southern Bell Frog) Litoria raniformis A threatened species which is doing well in sections of the Werribee wetlands. Grow up to 10 cms, Mostly green with golden brown markings. Bittern food !

Whistling Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxi) Usually ground dwelling and near water. Common in a variety of habitats in south-central Victoria and Gippsland

Southern Brown (Ewing’s) Tree Frog Litoria ewingi Quite common in southern Victoria and found in all habitat types

Lesueurs Stony Creek Frog ( Litoria lesueurii) Always live by rocky streams. Found in eastern Victoria. Males may turn bright mustard yellow when breeding

Peron’s (Emerald Spotted) Tree Frog (Litoria Peroni) Locally common in northern Vic lowlands and near the Murray river

Banjo Frog or Pobblebonk (Lymnodynastes dumerelii) Found throughout VIc except parts of the mallee. The resonating “bonk” call sounds a little like a Banjo being plucked.

Giant Banjo Frog (Lymnodynastes interioris) Found near the Murray and the NSW riverina. This is Victoria’s largest frog

Barking Frog (Limnodynastes flecheri) A pale brown frog with darker irregular patches, and a distinctive barking call. Found in the riverina and along the Murray river.

Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmanensis) One of the commonest frogs in Victoria, Looks similar to the Barking Frog. Call is quite different

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii) A moderately large frog (2-2.5 inches) which is widespread and quite common across southern Victoria. Its call is a short sharp “puk”

Sudell’s Frog (Neobotrachus sudallae) A burrowing frog, emerging after rains. Found through northern and western Vic. the genus Neobotrachus are small to medium sized burrowing frogs that do not lay eggs in a foamy spawn.

Crucifix Frog (Notoden bennetti) Unknown in Victoria but occasionally seen after summer rains in the NSW riverina when searching for Plains-wanderer. A burrowing frog with remarkable coloration

Common sign-bearing Froglet (Crinia signifera) This small ground dwelling frog is common and widespread and its cricket like chirping may be heard all year around