Ctenophorus fordi


Ctenophorus fordi, commonly known as the Mallee dragon, Mallee military dragon, or Mallee sand-dragon, is a species of agamid lizard occurring in the arid parts of southern Australia.

Description

Adult Mallee dragons range in colour from yellow-brown to reddish-brown, with a pale midlateral stripe, head and body flecked with dark brown or black, and a white underside. The throat of males is marked with black spots or bars, which often connect to form a 'V' shape. Adults have a total length of. Their lifespan is short, only around 12–18 months.

Distribution

Mallee dragons are found throughout the arid to semi-arid parts of south-eastern Western Australia, across central South Australia to north-western Victoria, into north-western and central-western New South Wales, as well as into a small portion of south-western Queensland.

Ecology and behaviour

The Mallee dragon lives in sandy arid to semi-arid areas of Mallee woodland and spinifex, as well as vegetated sand dunes. They prefer areas of Mallee that haven't been burnt for around 30 years, when spinifex cover is at its maximum. Emerging from dormancy in August, males appear about four weeks earlier than females. Active even on very hot days, they forage in sandy, open areas, and will dash for cover into nearby grasses or low bushes if disturbed or pursued. Males are territorial.

Diet

One of only a few Australian lizard species specialized in eating ants, their limited diet consists primarily of ants.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in spring. Multiple clutches of 2–3 eggs are deposited up to three times a season, with eggs hatching after 50–70 days.

Conservation actions

Although considered to be of 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, the Mallee Dragon occurs in several protected areas, including the Mallee Cliffs National Park and Yathong Nature Reserve in New South Wales, the Currawinya National Park in Queensland, and the Murray-Sunset National Park in Victoria.