Wildlife of the Iron Range

The Iron Range of North QLD is home to a plethora of unique and interesting animals. Recently I had the opportunity to be stomping around there and found the time to snap a few pics of just some of the critters that call it home.

An idea of where we were

Rock Scorpion the ciggie filter indicates scale

Another - larger

Fully Grown

Interestingly these scorpions were docile and reluctant to use their 'sting'. Virtually harmless to people and rather reclusive, they are seldom seen except by those who go out of their way to catch a glimpse of them.

Australian Tarantula

I came across quite a number of these guys and each seemed to have its own 'personality'. Some were extremely aggressive when disturbed, others positively laid back. There is a huge demand in the pet trade for these animals however, taking them from the wild is illegal ... so you know - don't.

Blue Tongued Skink

An icon of Australia - the Blue Tongue is a favourite for many herpers and this fellow was certainly the largest I have ever come across. He's obviously been doing well, and wasn't shy about letting his displeasure at being photographed known. Great fun.

Burtons Legless Lizard

I'm a huge fan of these little guys. They're sometimes confused with snakes, however they are most definitely lizards and have a unique hinge on the top jaw that allows them to grasp and constrict their prey, which consists primarily of other lizards.

Slatey Grey

There's a snake in there somewhere

It's only recently been discovered that Slatey Grey's are in fact venomous - however, the venom is mild and has little to no effect on humans ... so ya can safely put the broom down and enjoy them. This guy seemed far more interested in hiding than on any attempt at envenomation ...

(Heteronotia binoei)

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I found this little Gecko sharing a hiding place within centimetres of a Tarantula - ah the things nightmares are made of eh?

Palm Cockatoo

One of the world's largest flying parrots - and a huge draw card for 'twitchers' the world over who come to the range specifically to see them.

A large and strikingly patterned Mantid

Green Tree Python

Probably Australia's most "treasured" snake

So lucky to find one

No discussion of the Iron Range would be complete without including the Green Tree Python. This extraordinarily beautiful animal is only found in small pockets of the I.R and PNG, evidence of a land bridge that once linked the two countries.

They are coveted by herpers the world over and prices for captive breed specimens can range into the thousands - it should go without saying that they are protected, (but I said it anyway).

Of course the Iron Range is slowly becoming more and more of an attraction to visitors and the roads and infrastructure are being overhauled at pace - Soon it'll be just another footnote in lonely planet.

Lockhart is also a 'dry' community - although it seems some plants are doing well despite the drought ...

I'm pretty sure it's not native

lol, ya just never know what you'll find in the bush