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Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis lineata)

The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is a small, diurnal agamid lizard restricted to Natural Temperate Grassland around Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory and immediately adjacent New South Wales. It is Critically Endangered, and clearing, earthworks, road construction and grassland degradation can remove both the lizard and the arthropod burrows it uses for shelter, nesting and refuge.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Australian Capital Territory, Nature Conservation Act 2014: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

This species breeds from spring into summer, lays eggs in arthropod burrows, and produces hatchlings mainly from January to March. Clearing can damage eggs, hatchlings and occupied burrows, while winter works can trap animals sheltering below ground.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous. Females lay eggs.

Clutch size: 3 to 7 eggs, typically 5.

Incubation: 9 to 12 weeks.

Size at hatching or birth: Exact size at hatching is not recorded. Very small lizards of 0.4 g and 20 to 25 mm snout to vent length have been captured in late summer to early autumn.

Age at maturity: Males mature at about 6 months after hatching. Females mature at about 8 months, in spring.

Nest or egg sites: Arthropod burrows, usually about 10 to 13 cm deep, including burrows made by the Common Wolf Spider and Canberra Raspy Cricket. Burrows are backfilled with soil and litter after laying.

Breeding frequency: Usually one breeding period each year. A second clutch may occur in summer if conditions are favourable, and autumn mating with later egg retention or laying has been suggested but is not resolved.

Confirm timing locally before works, because rainfall, soil and burrow conditions, and temperature can alter surface activity, brumation, egg development and hatchling recruitment.

  • Mating: Breeding commences in September, with the recognised breeding season generally November to February. Mating may also occur in autumn, based on reproductive condition and colouration recorded in autumn and spring.
  • Gravid females: Gravid females have been recorded from spring to mid-summer, and in spring and early summer. Females may be less active in summer before oviposition.
  • Egg laying: Egg laying occurs from about mid-October to February, with other guidance describing laying mainly from November to January. Eggs are placed in arthropod burrows about 10 to 13 cm deep.
  • Incubation: Eggs take about 9 to 12 weeks to develop. With laying from mid-October to February and hatching mainly from January to March, eggs may remain in burrows from October to May.
  • Hatchlings: Hatching occurs mainly from January to March and may extend to May. Recruitment generally starts in summer or early autumn, and juveniles grow rapidly before winter.
  • Active period: Individuals can be active in any month when weather permits, including winter on warmer days. Activity is greatest under suitable temperatures, with dragons spending more than half the day active when daily maximum temperatures are about 20 to 32 degrees Celsius.
  • Winter inactivity: Brumation and low activity occur mainly in winter, particularly when temperatures fall below 0 degrees Celsius. Adults may still emerge on warm days, while juveniles show slow or negligible winter growth and may remain in tussocks, rocks or burrows.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from September to April, when mating, gravid females, egg laying, incubation and hatchling recruitment overlap. Risk remains year round because eggs and animals may occupy arthropod burrows, tussock bases and other refuges, including during winter inactivity.

Identification

This is a small, cryptic, ground dwelling lizard. Identification should be confirmed from several features, preferably with a clear colour photograph and, where required, expert review.

The body is stout, with short robust limbs and a short, rounded head. The dorsal colour varies from grey or light brown to red brown. There are usually 5 to 7 dark crossbands across the back, separated by pale stripes running along the back and sides. The outer ear opening and functional eardrum are absent, giving the species its common name.

The larger rounded scales on the back have prominent spines pointing backwards and upwards. The nostril scale lies below the ridge running from the eye to the snout. The throat and underside may have dark speckling, and some adults show yellow, orange or red colour on the throat, sides of the head, flanks or legs, particularly around the breeding period.

Snout to vent length: 44 to 61 mm

Total adult length: Usually less than 150 mm

Weight: 5 to 9 g

Identification: Separating similar species

The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is geographically isolated around Canberra and does not overlap with another recognised Tympanocryptis species. The geographically closest similar species is the Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon, Tympanocryptis osbornei, on the Monaro high plains around 100 km from the nearest Canberra population.

Tail blotches can assist with separation, although identification should not rely on this feature alone. Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons usually have 7 to 11 tail blotches, compared with 12 to 14 in T. osbornei. The pattern of dark blotches is individual specific and does not change with age, so it can assist with identifying recaptured animals.

Typical tail blotches: Usually 7 to 11 in the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon

Closest similar species: Tympanocryptis osbornei, around 100 km away on the Monaro high plains

Identification: Field signs and survey handling

There are no documented reliable tracks, scats, calls, sloughs or eyeshine signs for field identification in the supplied sources. The animals are generally detected by targeted trapping and monitoring using artificial burrows, with individuals moving between natural and artificial burrows.

Natural arthropod burrows, open inter tussock spaces and suitable tussock grassland indicate potential habitat, but they do not confirm presence. A potential record should be supported by a good quality colour photograph and referred to the relevant state fauna authority and appropriate museum for confirmation and databasing.

  • Treat a previously occupied site as potentially occupied unless rigorous survey disproves current presence or the habitat has been destroyed.
  • Do not rely on a negative result from one inspection, because abundance varies between years and some formerly occupied sites have had no recent captures despite repeated surveys.
  • Avoid handling, relocating or disturbing a suspected animal unless this is authorised and undertaken by appropriately qualified personnel.

Distribution: State and bioregional range

The species has a very small, fragmented range centred on Canberra. Records are from the ACT and immediately adjacent New South Wales, rather than from the broader former range once attributed to the species complex.

Current records are restricted to Natural Temperate Grassland around Canberra in the ACT and immediately adjacent Natural Temperate Grassland in NSW. The occupied area lies in the Canberra region, including the Majura Valley and Jerrabomberra Valley grasslands.

The species was thought to be extinct in the ACT after 30 years without a record, until it was rediscovered near Canberra in the early 1990s. Historic records and older taxonomy referred to a wider Grassland Earless Dragon entity, but those records should not automatically be assigned to T. lineata following the 2019 taxonomic revision.

States and territories: Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales

Extent of occurrence: About 70 km²

Area of occupancy: About 40 km² using the ACT assessment grid method; recently occupied habitat was estimated at about 26 km² in the Commonwealth assessment

Known sites: Fourteen sites have contained the species since its rediscovery, with nine sites subject to standardised monitoring in the assessment period

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

Genetic and monitoring evidence identifies three geographically separated populations: Canberra North, Jerrabomberra West and Canberra South. Canberra North includes the Majura Training Area and Canberra Airport area. Jerrabomberra West is centred on Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve. Canberra South includes Jerrabomberra East Grasslands, Queanbeyan Nature Reserve, a private NSW site, Bonshaw, Aerial Paddock and Cookanalla.

Major roads, rail lines, the airport, developed areas and the Molonglo River separate the populations. Even 100 m of suboptimal grassland can prevent most genetic exchange, and large roads are likely to be impenetrable.

Population clusters: Canberra North, Jerrabomberra West and Canberra South

Sites recorded since the 1990s: 14

Recent monitoring sites: Nine sites in the standardised monitoring table

Distribution: Population size and trend

The species has undergone a severe decline, with very small and fragmented populations. Capture data have varied between years, but the overall trajectory is declining. No single reliable total population estimate is provided in the supplied documents.

Effective population size at the three most closely monitored sites did not exceed 32 breeding individuals in recent assessments, apart from an estimate of 89 at Jerrabomberra West in 2005. This is below the cited minimum of 100 for avoiding rapid inbreeding.

Recent two season monitoring: 37 individuals captured across 34,424 trap days

Highest annual capture count reported: 219 individuals in 2006, mainly at Jerrabomberra West

Effective population size at closely monitored sites: No more than 32 breeding individuals in recent estimates; 89 was estimated at Jerrabomberra West in 2005

Current status: Critically Endangered nationally, in the ACT and in NSW

Habitat: Vegetation and site setting

The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon occupies remnant Natural Temperate Grassland and associated native grassland. Suitable habitat is generally open, well drained and lightly disturbed, with a varied grass structure and sufficient arthropod burrows.

Habitat is usually well drained grassland dominated by Tall Speargrass, Austrostipa bigeniculata, and shorter Wallaby Grasses, Rytidosperma species. Other grassland observations include Danthonia, Stipa, Poa and possibly Kangaroo Grass, Themeda triandra.

Sites are often frost hollow grasslands on slightly higher, well drained ground, with few or no trees and shrubs. They have usually experienced little or no ploughing or pasture improvement.

Associated ecological community: Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Australia region

Typical vegetation: Tall Speargrass and shorter Wallaby Grasses, with other native tussock grasses

Typical site form: Open, well drained grassland with few or no trees and shrubs

Habitat: Structural requirements

The species uses open spaces between tussocks, tussock bases and arthropod burrows. Habitat management should retain a varied sward with both shorter and taller patches, rather than uniformly short, heavily grazed ground or uniformly tall, dense grass.

Recent trapping has been higher in areas with naturally lower herbage biomass or areas recently affected by grazing or burning. The documents do not establish a single preferred biomass level. Excessively low cover can increase exposure and burrow temperatures, while excessive biomass can fill inter tussock spaces and obscure burrows.

  • Retain native tussocks, open inter tussock spaces and natural arthropod burrows during site works.
  • Avoid pasture improvement, ploughing, rock removal, close mowing and activities that flatten or fill the grass sward.
  • Map suitable and previously occupied grassland before clearing, including grassland on Commonwealth, airport, rural lease and private land.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species is associated with cool temperate grasslands around Canberra. The supplied documents do not provide a confirmed elevation range or a defined upper or lower climatic limit.

Dragons shelter in burrows and tussocks to withstand both low and high temperatures. Drought, extreme heat and prolonged rainfall can reduce cover, alter prey availability and increase mortality.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding method

The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is a sit and wait predator in open native grassland. It feeds close to shelter sites and depends on a functioning grassland invertebrate community.

The diet includes ants, beetles, spiders and moths, including moth larvae. Beetles were the preferred food items at three monitored sites in 2007, although ants were frequently eaten in proportion to their availability.

The species waits for small prey from the ground or near tussocks and burrow entrances. The documents do not provide a separate measured foraging distance from shelter.

Feeding strategy: Sit and wait predator

Main prey: Beetles, ants, spiders and moths, including larvae

Preferred prey observation: Beetles were preferred at three sites in 2007

  • Retain native grassland structure that supports beetles, ants, spiders and moths.
  • Avoid insecticide use or soil disturbance that could reduce invertebrate prey or destroy the burrows of burrowing arthropods.
  • Control invasive weeds in a way that protects native tussocks, prey habitat and exposed burrow entrances.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area

Adults and juveniles move between one or more natural or artificial burrows within a home range of about 925 to 4,768 square metres. Some home ranges overlap. Movements greater than 100 m are rare, so local loss of tussocks, prey habitat or burrows can affect an individual without requiring broad scale clearing.

Home range: 925 to 4,768 square metres

Movement between refuges: Adults and juveniles frequently move between natural and artificial burrows

Dispersal: Movement greater than 100 m is rare

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in native grassland containing suitable arthropod burrows and nearby open tussock structure. Egg laying sites can be below ground and may not be visible during a routine clearing inspection.

Breeding commences in September. Females lay eggs in arthropod burrows, usually at a depth of 10 to 13 cm. The eggs are backfilled with soil and litter. Hatching occurs mainly from January to March, but may extend to May.

The main recorded nest builders are the Common Wolf Spider, Lycosa godeffroyi, and the Canberra Raspy Cricket, Cooraboorama canberrae. Females have been observed visiting nest sites daily during incubation.

Breeding season: Breeding starts in September; egg laying occurs from about mid October to February

Clutch size: 3 to 7 eggs, usually 5

Egg laying site: Arthropod burrow about 10 to 13 cm deep

Hatching: Mainly January to March, possibly extending to May

Male maturity: About six months after hatching

Female maturity: About eight months after hatching, in spring

Wild lifespan: Usually less than two years

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat and project controls

Breeding habitat requires intact native grassland with suitable burrowing arthropods, tussocks, open spaces and ground conditions that allow burrows to remain open and stable. Ploughing, grading, compaction, excavation and pasture improvement can remove or collapse potential nest burrows.

During the breeding and hatching period, avoid clearing known or potential habitat wherever practicable. If works cannot be avoided, use the approved project survey, approval and fauna handling procedures, with a qualified spotter catcher and species specialist involved.

  • Inspect and map natural burrows, tussock bases and areas of suitable grass structure before ground disturbance.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, stockpiles and access tracks out of retained grassland and mapped habitat.
  • Do not assume that a site is unoccupied because adults are not detected, particularly during the egg and hatchling period.

Sheltering habitat: Burrows and tussocks

The species relies on small ground refuges rather than trees, hollows or caves. Natural arthropod burrows and tussock bases provide shelter from predators and temperature extremes, and artificial burrows are used in monitoring.

Dragons use burrows made by large arthropods, including the Common Wolf Spider and Canberra Raspy Cricket. They also shelter in or around grass tussocks and move between natural and artificial burrows. Burrows provide protection from both high and low temperatures and may also be used for egg laying.

The recorded egg laying burrow depth is 10 to 13 cm. The sources do not provide a typical entrance diameter or total burrow length.

Egg burrow depth: 10 to 13 cm

Other refuges: Tussocks, natural arthropod burrows and artificial monitoring burrows

Burrow function: Shelter from temperature extremes and, for females, egg deposition

  • Treat natural arthropod burrows, tussock bases and open inter tussock spaces as potential fauna habitat during clearing and earthworks.
  • Prevent vehicle traffic, grading, trenching, spoil placement and soil compaction across retained burrow habitat.
  • Retain varied grass height and cover, because excessive bare ground increases exposure while dense biomass can obscure or fill burrow entrances.

Sheltering habitat: Movement between refuges

Adults and juveniles commonly move from one natural or artificial burrow to another. Individuals generally occupy one or two natural burrows within a home range of 925 to 4,768 square metres. Dispersal beyond 100 m is rare, and roads or other hard surfaces can prevent movement between grassland patches.

Natural burrows used: Mostly one or two per individual

Home range: 925 to 4,768 square metres

Rare dispersal distance: Greater than 100 m

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main project risk is loss or fragmentation of Natural Temperate Grassland and its burrow network. The species has very small, isolated populations, so a local disturbance can remove habitat, interrupt movement or increase extinction risk.

Urban, industrial and agricultural development has removed and fragmented the species' grassland habitat. Roads, railways, major infrastructure, hard surfaces, the airport and developed areas can separate subpopulations. Genetic evidence indicates that even 100 m of suboptimal grassland can prevent most gene flow, while large roads are likely to be impenetrable.

Habitat mapped for this species should be avoided. The conservation advice states that the species has a high risk of local extinction from further habitat loss and that environmental offsets are not appropriate for this species or its habitat.

  • Avoid clearing Natural Temperate Grassland and previously occupied sites, including sites where recent surveys have failed to detect animals.
  • Keep temporary access, compounds, laydown areas, drainage works and stockpiles outside mapped habitat and movement areas.
  • Design crossings and retained grassland links with advice from the relevant conservation authority and species specialists.

Threats: Ground disturbance and habitat degradation

Overgrazing by livestock, kangaroos or rabbits, close mowing, trampling and excessive bare ground can remove tussock structure and increase exposure. Ploughing and pasture improvement can destroy arthropod prey and burrows. Invasive weeds, especially African Lovegrass, can form dense stands that fill inter tussock spaces and obscure basking and nesting sites.

Drought and extreme heat can reduce ground cover and raise burrow temperatures. Prolonged rainfall is also identified as a climate related risk.

  • Prevent soil disturbance, compaction, grading and excavation in native grassland and around natural burrows.
  • Manage grazing, mowing, fire and weed control to retain a varied grass structure, avoiding both excessive biomass and excessive bare ground.
  • Use washdown, weed hygiene and site hygiene measures to limit the spread of African Lovegrass and other invasive plants.

Threats: Fire, predators and disease

A fire can cause rapid loss of cover and is identified as a random event that can affect the species because populations are small. Fire planning should therefore consider the availability of unburnt refuges, seasonal conditions and the needs of the wider Natural Temperate Grassland community.

Predation by cats, foxes and native predators is recognised as a threat. Rabbits can also degrade habitat. Disease is an identified concern for captive colonies, including yellow fungus, but the supplied documents do not establish its prevalence in wild populations.

  • Plan fire, slashing and fuel reduction works with a qualified ecological adviser and retain suitable refuge habitat where practicable.
  • Control pest predators and rabbits where this forms part of an approved management programme.
  • Apply strict hygiene and quarantine controls when handling, transporting or housing animals, and follow wildlife disease advice if an animal is injured or translocated.

Threats: Hydrology and climate change

The supplied documents do not identify a specific hydrology alteration as a separate primary threat. However, drainage, waterlogging, altered runoff or prolonged inundation can change the well drained grassland conditions and soil structure on which the species and its arthropod burrows depend.

Increasing temperatures, extreme heat, longer and more severe droughts and prolonged rainfall are identified threats. These pressures can interact with low ground cover and overgrazing to increase mortality.

  • Avoid changing drainage, runoff or soil moisture conditions in retained well drained grassland without assessing effects on habitat and burrows.
  • Maintain ground cover and refuges during heat, drought and wet periods, and incorporate weather responsive management into construction planning.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and burrow assessment

The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is a small, cryptic, diurnal lizard restricted to Natural Temperate Grassland around Canberra and adjacent New South Wales. Survey work must account for its low detectability, use of arthropod burrows and tussocks for shelter, and strong site fidelity.

Complete a systematic inspection of all native grassland that may be disturbed, including areas within the proposed work footprint, access tracks, laydown areas and temporary compounds.

Record grass structure, biomass, bare ground, tussock cover, weeds, recent fire or grazing, and the presence and density of natural arthropod burrows.

Give particular attention to well-drained, slightly elevated grassland dominated by Tall Speargrass and Wallaby Grasses, with tussock patches and open spaces between tussocks.

Map all suitable and previously occupied habitat, because a site should be treated as occupied unless rigorous survey disproves presence or the habitat has been destroyed.

Known extent of occurrence: 70 square kilometres

Occupied area reported in the assessment: 26 square kilometres across identified sites

Typical home range: 925 to 4,768 square metres

  • Use the same mapped units and survey points before and after works so that habitat loss and changes in condition can be measured.
  • Record the location of each potential burrow, artificial burrow, animal observation, capture and sign with a handheld GPS.

Survey methodology: 2. Artificial burrow trapping and mark recapture

Use an experienced herpetologist to design targeted trapping where habitat assessment indicates that the species may occur and where the work could affect occupied or previously occupied grassland.

The conservation programs use fixed grids and transects containing artificial burrows, with regular abundance monitoring at sites in the ACT and New South Wales.

Set traps and inspect them at frequencies that prevent overheating, dehydration, predation and other welfare risks, with the design, timing and stopping rules approved by the relevant state authority and animal ethics process.

Measure grass biomass or structure and natural burrow abundance at trapping locations so that detection results can be interpreted against habitat condition.

Recent documented survey effort: 37 individuals captured over 34,424 trap days across two seasons

Monitoring method documented for the species: Fixed grids and transects using artificial burrows

  • Do not rely on a single negative trapping event to clear previously occupied habitat.
  • Record trap nights, trap locations, weather, inspection times, captures, non-target fauna, injuries and any trap failures.
  • Use photographs of distinctive dorsal markings and follow the approved marking or identification protocol rather than applying an unapproved mark.

Survey methodology: 3. Visual searches and incidental records

Conduct structured daytime searches through suitable tussock grassland, concentrating on tussocks, open inter-tussock spaces, artificial burrows and natural arthropod burrows.

Use visual searches as a supplementary method because the species is small and cryptic and may remain inside burrows during unsuitable conditions.

Record the date, time, exact location, habitat condition, weather, behaviour and a clear colour photograph for every suspected record.

The Australian survey guidance requires potential grassland earless dragon records to be supported by a good quality colour photograph and submitted to the relevant state fauna authority and museum for identification and databasing.

Daily activity: Diurnal

Shelter features: Arthropod burrows and tussocks

Breeding period: Breeding begins in September, with egg laying from mid-October to February

  • Do not handle an animal solely to obtain a photograph if a clear image can be taken without capture.
  • Treat a suspected record as a positive detection until an appropriately qualified person confirms the identification.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Have a qualified herpetologist prepare a site-specific survey design before disturbance, because the supplied national guideline extract does not specify a complete effort schedule for this species.
  • Use habitat assessment plus targeted artificial-burrow trapping where suitable habitat or previous records occur, and document the number of transects, artificial burrows, trap nights, search hours, survey dates and weather.
  • Survey during conditions when dragons are likely to be active, while recognising that the species can shelter from extreme heat and cold in burrows.
  • Repeat surveys where initial effort is interrupted by unsuitable weather, flooding, fire, livestock disturbance, equipment failure or poor trap performance.
  • Submit confirmed records, negative survey results for previously occupied sites, photographs and spatial data to the relevant ACT or New South Wales wildlife database and fauna authority.
  • Retain raw field sheets, GPS data, photographs, trap inspection records, animal welfare records and the final survey report with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoiding loss of Natural Temperate Grassland is the primary project control. The species has a small, fragmented distribution, very limited dispersal and little gene flow between populations.

Typical dispersal: Dispersal greater than 100 metres is rare

Known population structure: Three geographically separated populations, Canberra North, Jerrabomberra West and Canberra South

  • Avoid clearing known, suitable and previously occupied grassland wherever practicable.
  • Retain tussock structure, open inter-tussock spaces, natural burrows and the surrounding grassland matrix.
  • Avoid creating gaps in habitat, because 100 metres of sub-optimal grassland may prevent most genetic exchange and major roads can be effectively impenetrable.
  • Do not assume that an area is unoccupied because no dragons were found during one survey.
  • Avoid pasture improvement, ploughing, soil removal, rock removal, close mowing and unnecessary vehicle movement through native grassland.
  • Do not use environmental offsets as a substitute for avoiding habitat loss where the approved conservation advice identifies further loss as posing a high risk of local extinction.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

National status: Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act, effective 1 June 2023

State status: Critically Endangered in the ACT and New South Wales

  • Check whether the proposed action requires referral or approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 because the species is nationally listed as Critically Endangered.
  • Obtain all required ACT or New South Wales permits, scientific licences, animal ethics approvals and fauna handling authorisations before survey, trapping, capture, relocation or release.
  • Confirm the applicable state listing and conservation advice, including ACT and New South Wales requirements.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies habitat to be retained, survey methods, exclusion zones, clearing limits, fauna handling procedures, stop-work triggers, reporting contacts and rehabilitation commitments.
  • Stage works so that the smallest practical area is disturbed at one time and retained grassland remains connected and accessible to management staff.
  • Schedule vegetation and earthworks outside periods of high heat, drought or other conditions that increase exposure risk, and avoid disturbing breeding and juvenile recruitment habitat where the approval conditions require seasonal restrictions.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete the approved pre-clearance survey immediately before disturbance and update the habitat map if grass structure, burrow density, fire, grazing or weed cover has changed.
  • Mark retained grassland, no-go areas, access routes, exclusion zones and any known or suspected burrows on the ground and in the construction drawings.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it will prevent machinery, vehicles, livestock or people entering retained habitat without fragmenting movement between retained patches.
  • Brief all operators on the species appearance, habitat, handling limits, stop-work procedure and the location of retained habitat.
  • Clean vehicles and machinery before entering retained grassland to reduce weed introduction and avoid transporting soil between occupied sites.
  • Inspect fencing and signage each day before work starts and repair any breach immediately.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher duties

The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to pause work and must remain in direct communication with the machine operator and site supervisor. Work must proceed only within the approved footprint and under the project fauna management plan.

  • Inspect the work area, exclusion fencing, access routes and retained habitat before machinery starts each day.
  • Keep the fauna spotter catcher close enough to see the active clearing face and to communicate immediately with operators.
  • Clear progressively in short stages, allowing the spotter catcher to inspect exposed tussocks, soil, burrows and debris before the next stage begins.
  • Keep machinery on approved access routes and prevent parking, refuelling, spoil placement and material storage in retained grassland.
  • Stop work during conditions that make detection or safe handling unreliable, including extreme heat, smoke, heavy rain, flooding, poor visibility or a damaged exclusion zone.
  • Record the date, work area, machinery, weather, inspection results, fauna observations, captures, relocations, injuries, incidents and periods of stopped work.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and exposed soil

Typical egg-laying burrow depth: 10 to 13 centimetres

Known shelter features: Arthropod burrows and tussocks

  • Treat natural arthropod burrows, tussocks and open inter-tussock spaces as habitat features and do not crush, fill or disturb them unless the approved method specifically requires it.
  • Stop work and obtain ecological direction if clearing exposes a burrow, nest, sheltering dragon or concentration of burrows.
  • Do not relocate soil, tussocks, logs, rocks or other shelter features from an occupied site to another site unless the action is approved and supervised by the relevant authority.
  • Keep exposed soil, spoil and wash water out of retained grassland and prevent sediment from burying burrows or filling inter-tussock spaces.
  • Because the species relies on burrows made by wolf spiders and Canberra Raspy Crickets, avoid actions that remove or compact the soil structure supporting those burrows.

During habitat disturbance: If a dragon is found

Adult weight: 5 to 9 grams

Adult total length: Usually less than 150 millimetres

  • Stop the activity that could affect the animal and establish a quiet exclusion zone around the observation.
  • Ask the authorised fauna handler or project ecologist to confirm the identification using a clear photograph where possible.
  • Do not allow untrained workers to catch, chase, restrain or transport the animal.
  • Handle the animal only when authorised, when it is necessary for welfare or approved relocation, and by using the minimum handling time and appropriate clean equipment.
  • Release a healthy animal only into nearby suitable retained habitat identified in the fauna management plan and approved by the relevant authority, because the species has limited dispersal and strong population structure.
  • Place an injured animal in a secure, ventilated container away from heat and machinery and arrange prompt assessment by a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer.
  • Do not release a sick or injured animal, or an animal from a captive colony, without the required veterinary and government approval.
  • Resume work only after the fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist confirm that the animal is clear and the agreed control has been recorded.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and escalation

  • Stop work for any confirmed or suspected Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon within the disturbance area until the fauna spotter catcher has assessed the situation.
  • Stop work if more than one animal is found, if animals are found repeatedly, or if the work exposes a concentration of burrows or suitable shelter features.
  • Stop work if clearing extends beyond the approved footprint, damages retained habitat, breaks a connectivity route or breaches exclusion fencing.
  • Notify the site supervisor, environmental officer, project ecologist and relevant government authority when a death, serious injury, unauthorised clearing, unapproved relocation or repeated detection occurs.
  • Update the fauna management plan and work method if detections show that the approved survey or avoidance controls are not protecting the species.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Completion of clearing does not end the project controls. The contractor must verify the final footprint, check retained habitat and continue monitoring where the approval or fauna management plan requires it.

  • Inspect the cleared area and adjoining retained habitat for injured, trapped or isolated dragons, damaged burrows, crushed tussocks, soil compaction and sediment deposition.
  • Complete a final GPS survey of the disturbance boundary and compare it with the approved clearing footprint.
  • Remove temporary materials, waste, excess spoil and temporary access controls from retained grassland without further damaging habitat.
  • Repair any breached exclusion fencing and keep machinery out of retained habitat until the environmental officer signs off the site.
  • Document all animal records, including negative checks, photographs, handling, relocation, injury, mortality and notifications.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Long-term monitoring approach documented for the species: Fixed grids and transects with artificial burrows

  • Continue the approved abundance and habitat monitoring at affected and reference sites using consistent artificial-burrow grids or transects where those methods form part of the project design.
  • Measure population detections together with grass biomass or structure, weed cover, bare ground, grazing pressure, natural burrow abundance and evidence of predation or disturbance.
  • Compare post-work results with pre-work data and report changes in occupancy, captures, habitat area, habitat quality and connectivity.
  • Report confirmed records and incidents to the relevant ACT or New South Wales fauna authority and wildlife database.
  • Provide the regulator and land manager with the final survey, clearing, fauna handling, incident, rehabilitation and monitoring records within the timeframe required by the approval.

After habitat disturbance: Ongoing controls and offsets

  • Maintain weed, grazing, access and erosion controls until rehabilitation has established and the environmental officer confirms that retained habitat is stable.
  • Prevent new barriers such as unnecessary tracks, fences, hardstand or buildings from separating retained patches.
  • Do not rely on an offset to justify avoidable clearing of Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon habitat.
  • Where an approval requires an offset or conservation payment, implement it in addition to avoidance, minimisation, habitat protection and rehabilitation, and follow the exact approval conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore grassland structure and habitat

Rehabilitation should restore functional Natural Temperate Grassland, not just provide ground cover. The target is a varied, open tussock structure with native grasses, shelter, arthropod burrows and low weed abundance.

Preferred habitat: Well-drained native grassland with Tall Speargrass, Wallaby Grasses, tussocks and open spaces

Habitat features: Natural tussocks and arthropod burrows

  • Use locally appropriate native grassland species, including Tall Speargrass, Wallaby Grasses and other species characteristic of the retained Natural Temperate Grassland community.
  • Reinstate a varied structure with tussock patches and open spaces between tussocks rather than establishing a dense, uniform sward.
  • Use local seed or other approved local provenance material where available and prevent pasture improvement species from becoming established.
  • Decompact soil, repair erosion and restore natural drainage without filling or reshaping areas that contain retained or potential arthropod burrows.
  • Do not introduce logs, rocks, nest boxes or artificial burrows as a substitute for the native grassland features unless the project ecologist and relevant authority approve their use for this species.
  • Protect rehabilitated areas from vehicle access, close mowing, excessive grazing and soil disturbance while vegetation and shelter features establish.

Rehabilitation actions: Weeds, grazing, fire and predators

Recorded threats: Overgrazing, drought, pasture improvement, weeds, predation, development and climate-related heat and rainfall extremes

  • Control African Lovegrass, serrated tussock and other weeds that fill inter-tussock spaces, obscure burrows or replace native grassland.
  • Use grazing, burning or slashing only under a site-specific grassland management plan that maintains habitat structure and protects dragons, burrows and other threatened grassland species.
  • Avoid fixed seasonal treatments where the management plan instead uses grass height, biomass, thatch and drying conditions to determine the timing of intervention.
  • Manage kangaroo, rabbit and livestock pressure so that the site does not develop excessive bare ground, loss of tussock structure or damaging trampling.
  • Monitor and control cats, foxes and rabbits in accordance with the approved pest management program.
  • Prevent weed spread by cleaning machinery, controlling weeds before seed set where practicable and keeping disturbed soil stabilised.

Rehabilitation actions: Success measures and monitoring

Captive breeding purpose: Insurance against extinction, genetic conservation, research and a potential source for future reintroductions

Disease control requirement: Strict quarantine and disease assessment are required for animals intended for release

  • Monitor rehabilitated areas against reference grassland for native species cover, grass biomass, tussock distribution, open inter-tussock space, weed abundance, bare ground, erosion and natural burrow abundance.
  • Use repeated artificial-burrow surveys or other approved monitoring to assess whether dragons return, persist or use the rehabilitated area.
  • Assess whether the rehabilitation reconnects retained habitat rather than leaving narrow isolated strips or hard barriers between patches.
  • Record survey effort, trap nights, captures, photographs, habitat measurements, weather and management actions so that population trends can be separated from changes in detection effort.
  • Continue management until the site meets the approved success criteria and can support shelter, basking, nesting, prey and movement requirements.
  • Consider captive-bred release or population augmentation only through the approved conservation program, with suitable site selection, quarantine, disease assessment, genetic planning, authorisation and post-release monitoring.

Sources