Previous Mystery Reptiles


The first Mystery Reptile was an Asian House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus.

Asian House Gecko

The first correct entry was from Nathan Elliott, of Queensland, Australia.

The Asian House Gecko was introduced from (you guessed it!), Asia. It is Australia's only introduced gecko species. It is more readily identified by its vocalizations than its appearance - it makes a distinctive 'chuck-chuck-chuck' sound.


The second Mystery Reptile was a Yellow-faced Whip Snake, Demansia psammophis.

Yellow-faced Whip Snake

The first (and only!) correct entry was from Cliff Taylor, from Howard, in Queensland.

The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is an active, sun-loving Elapid. It's bite is not considered fatal, but a good bite from a large specimen could cause problems. This snake is known to lay its eggs in communal nests. About 600 eggs from this species were found after excavation near Gympie in Queensland, in 1972.


The Third Mystery Reptile was a Bandy Bandy Vermicella annulata.

 

This was correctly identified by Cliff Taylor, from Howard, in Queensland (sound familiar?)

The Bandy Bandy is a burrowing elapid, but occasionally will forage on the surface at night. Its diet consists mainly of Blind snakes. Although it possesses fangs and venom glands, it is not considered dangerous.

 

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