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Gravel Dragon (Cryptagama aurita)

The Gravel Dragon is a small agamid lizard known from Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with WA records associated with the remote Kimberley. It is listed as Priority 1 on the WA DBCA priority fauna list, a DBCA priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Careful pre-clearance checks and cautious work practices are appropriate where it may occur.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 1.

Seasonal information

Species-specific seasonal activity and breeding months are not known. Treat planning across the year as a precaution, not as a known activity pattern.

Breeding timing: Not recorded.

Seasonal activity: Not recorded.

No species-specific seasonal information is available.

  • Precautionary survey and work planning: Planning window only. Seasonal activity is unknown, so do not use timing alone to infer absence or low risk.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited. The physical traits below describe the genus Cryptagama.

Cryptagama are small, very short-legged agamids with a blunt-tipped tail shorter than the snout-to-vent length. Dorsal scales are markedly mixed in size, with small scales interspersed among scattered enlarged, blunt tubercles. The tympanum is large and obvious, and the upper labial scales form a fringe along the upper lip.

No numerical body length or weight has been recorded for this species.

Identification: Similar species

Likely lookalikes and species-level differences have not been documented. Do not confirm an identification from a single general feature; seek assessment by a suitably experienced herpetologist.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific tracks, scats, burrows, shelter signs and other field signs have not been documented.

Distribution: Known range

The species is known from Western Australia and the Northern Territory. WA location information is sparse.

The Reptile Database records the distribution as Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The WA type locality is 27 km SSE of Halls Creek. Atlas of Living Australia records show 20 WA records at seven distinct 0.1 degree locations, between latitude -19.2 and -17.1 and longitude 126 and 127.8; records outside WA were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA region and status

The DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025 flags the Kimberley region and lists the Gravel Dragon as Priority 1: poorly known, known from few locations, with none on conservation lands. No national listing is given.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

The species' habitat has not been documented. Avoid treating a particular landform or vegetation type as confirmed habitat without further evidence.

Habitat types, vegetation associations, soils and landforms used by the Gravel Dragon have not been documented.

Habitat: Site assessment

For project planning, assess the whole disturbance footprint and connected areas rather than excluding areas based on an assumed habitat preference. Record the landforms and vegetation present so findings can inform later surveys and management.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

The Gravel Dragon's diet and foraging habitat have not been documented.

Food items, feeding behaviour and foraging locations have not been documented.

Foraging habitat: Precaution during assessment

Do not infer prey or feeding habitat from the species' common name. If an animal is observed, record its location and immediate surroundings without delaying work controls or disturbing it to obtain a feeding observation.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The species is oviparous, but its nesting habitat and reproductive timing are poorly known.

The Reptile Database records the species as oviparous. Breeding season, nest location, clutch size and incubation information have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Works precautions

Do not assume that a site is outside a breeding period or that any particular ground feature is a nest site. If eggs or a suspected nest are encountered, stop disturbance in the immediate area and obtain advice from the project ecologist and relevant fauna authority.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Species-specific shelter locations and sheltering behaviour are not documented.

It is not known whether the Gravel Dragon shelters in burrows, under rocks, in vegetation or in other features.

Sheltering habitat: Ground disturbance

As a general reptile precaution, check the immediate work area carefully before disturbing ground or moving material. Treat any feature as a possible refuge only where this is supported by site observations or further species information.

Threats: Known threats

The species has a poorly known, restricted WA listing context, but specific threats have not been identified.

Species-specific threats have not been documented. The Priority 1 listing notes that the species is poorly known, occurs at few locations and is not known from conservation lands.

Threats: Development context

Do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped. Keep disturbance within approved limits and document any observations or evidence encountered during works.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey protocol or detectability information has been established. Plan field surveys as precautionary work, not as a proven method for confirming absence.

Review the project footprint against the known Kimberley distribution, the type locality and available records. Check current DBCA guidance and consult a qualified ecologist because the species is poorly known and its habitat requirements have not been documented.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

A suitably experienced reptile surveyor can systematically inspect the footprint and areas likely to be disturbed. As general reptile survey practice, search safely and carefully around ground features and material before they are moved, and record effort, conditions, locations and any limitations. The best time of day, season and survey technique for this species are not known.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph observations where safe, record precise coordinates and retain diagnostic details for expert review. Do not handle an animal solely to improve a photograph. A survey with no detections should not be treated as proof of absence.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Desktop assessment

Plan for uncertainty because the species is poorly known and its habitat and seasonal activity are not well understood.

Confirm whether the work is within the Kimberley region and review relevant records, approvals and current DBCA requirements. Priority 1 is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Survey and planning

Have a suitably qualified ecologist assess whether targeted survey or additional advice is needed before clearing. Set clear stop-work, notification and animal-care procedures with the crew before machinery enters the work area.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Crew briefing

Brief workers on the limited identification information, the chance of uncertain identification and the need to stop and report any suspected Gravel Dragon. Keep disturbance within the approved footprint.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work-area checks

Use cautious, staged work practices and respond promptly to any suspected animal or nest.

Check the next work area immediately before disturbance. As general reptile practice, have a trained spotter safely inspect the ground and items before they are cleared or moved.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop work and report

If a suspected Gravel Dragon, eggs or a possible shelter site is found, pause work in the immediate area, prevent further disturbance and contact the project ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Do not chase or handle the animal unless the authorised fauna professional directs it.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record and resume

Record the location, photographs if safe, circumstances and actions taken. Resume only after the responsible environmental lead has assessed the find and confirmed the required controls.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Document outcomes

Maintain records and review controls after clearing, especially if observations or identification uncertainties arose.

Record survey effort, work areas checked, observations, incidents and any fauna handling or release undertaken by authorised personnel. Submit records through project and regulatory processes as required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

Review whether the work method or footprint should be adjusted in response to any find. Share relevant information with the project ecologist so subsequent work areas can be assessed consistently.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Site restoration

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements have been established. Rehabilitation is not a substitute for avoiding or minimising disturbance.

Where rehabilitation is required, follow the approved project plan and use locally appropriate methods. Vegetation, substrate and other habitat features specific to the Gravel Dragon are not known.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Follow-up

Record the area rehabilitated and monitor it under project requirements. Claim suitable Gravel Dragon habitat only where supported by site evidence and ecological advice.

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