Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 3.6.
Plantings as a haven for geckos without legs
The Olive Legless Lizard superficially resembles a snake. It differs from snakes,
however, by having distinct ear openings. It is, in many respects, a gecko without
legs. This is because legless lizards and geckoes are very closely related and share
many characteristics such as a fleshy tongue and squeaky vocalisations.
The Olive Legless Lizard is one of the species that we have found to be abun-
dant in plantings
6
, particularly under artificial substrates like railway sleepers that
we have placed in these areas. The habitat requirements of this species often
include grassy tussocks where it can forage. The regulation of grazing pressure may
make fenced planted areas more suitable than other parts of farms for the Olive
Legless Lizard.
may not be feasible on some farms, particularly during prolonged periods of
drought when other sources of food for livestock are
limited. Plantings, however, should not be subject to
intense and prolonged set stocking grazing. Rather,
grazing regimes like low-intensity and/or short-term
grazing may be appropriate. Another key part of
managing grazing in plantings is to exclude stock until
Limited grazing pressure
in plantings is one of the
reasons why they are
important environments for
many species
Figure 3.18:
Livestock grazing in a planting. (Photo by David Lindenmayer)
