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Kalumburu Kimberley Slider (Lerista kalumburu)

The Kalumburu Kimberley slider is a small skink in the genus Lerista, known from northern Kimberley, including its type locality at Kalumburu. Its DBCA Priority 2 status reflects that it is poorly known and recorded from few locations. Priority 2 is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Works in the Kimberley should use cautious survey and disturbance procedures.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding months have not been documented. Use the row below as a planning reminder, not as a species-specific activity calendar.

The species is oviparous, but breeding months have not been documented.

  • Survey and works planning: No species-specific seasonal activity data are available. Plan surveys and apply fauna precautions whenever work is proposed; this is a planning window only.

Identification: Appearance and size

Use the documented diagnostic traits, and avoid relying on size or colour patterns that have not been described.

The species diagnosis describes two or three toes, a forelimb with a single digit or reduced to a stump, a free eyelid, and three supraocular scales. The frontoparietals are not fused to the interparietal.

Body length, mass, colouration and detailed field appearance have not been documented.

Identification: Similar species

The Reptile Database diagnosis provides scale and limb characters for identification. Field comparisons with other species are not available.

Other Lerista may require close examination for reliable identification. If identification is uncertain, photograph the animal where practical and seek confirmation from a suitably qualified reptile specialist.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific tracks, burrows, shed skins and other field signs have not been described.

Lerista are generally cryptozoic or fossorial. Treat any small skink or possible sign found during works as an uncertain identification unless there is evidence to confirm it.

Distribution: Known range

The recorded range is in northern Kimberley, but records are sparse and may not represent the full distribution.

The Reptile Database gives the distribution as northern Kimberley, Western Australia, and identifies Kalumburu as the type locality.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 44 WA records at 14 distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitude -15.4 and -13.9 and longitude 126.1 and 126.8. These records indicate occurrence, not abundance or continuous occupancy.

Distribution: WA status and region

DBCA lists the species as Priority 2 in the Kimberley region. It is poorly known and known from few locations, with some records on conservation lands. No national listing is given.

Habitat: Known habitat information

Habitat preferences and site-level requirements have not been documented.

The species is known from northern Kimberley, but vegetation types, landforms, soils, moisture conditions and habitat associations have not been recorded.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not assume that a site is unsuitable because a particular habitat feature has not been described. For planning, treat natural ground and cover within the mapped range as potentially relevant until a site assessment indicates otherwise.

Record the vegetation, substrate, ground cover and disturbance context at any detection. These are site observations, not established species preferences.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

Species-specific information on diet, feeding behaviour and foraging habitat has not been documented.

Diet, prey and feeding locations have not been documented. Do not infer a diet from the species' name or from general information about skinks.

Foraging habitat: Practical precautions

During surveys, inspect ground and cover carefully using methods suitable for small skinks. Record the exact observation location and immediate site conditions without treating them as confirmed foraging habitat.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The species is oviparous, but its nesting habitat and breeding season have not been documented.

The species is oviparous. Breeding months, clutch size, egg-laying sites, incubation details and age at maturity have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Works precautions

Do not assume that works fall outside a breeding period. Where suitable natural ground or cover will be disturbed, apply the site's fauna management procedures and seek ecological advice if eggs or a suspected nesting site are found.

Sheltering habitat: Available information

Species-specific shelter sites have not been documented. General information about Lerista can guide cautious search methods, but does not establish where this species shelters.

Shelter sites for Lerista kalumburu have not been identified. Lerista are generally cryptozoic or fossorial, but no shelter type or substrate has been specified for this species.

Sheltering habitat: Search and handling

As general skink practice, check ground-level cover and accessible loose material methodically, replacing any cover that is lifted. Avoid digging or dismantling cover without authorisation and an appropriate fauna procedure.

The genus diagnosis notes fragile tails. If capture is necessary and authorised, use gentle handling that avoids gripping or pulling the tail.

Threats: Documented status

Specific threats to this species have not been identified. Its limited records and poor knowledge support a precautionary approach on development sites.

The species is listed as DBCA Priority 2 and is poorly known and known from few locations. No species-specific threats have been recorded.

Threats: Development risk

Habitat loss, injury or mortality from site activities are potential general risks to small ground-dwelling reptiles, not documented species-specific threats for this species. Apply the project's fauna protection controls and record any encounter or mortality.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific detectability and survey methods have not been documented. Use careful, repeatable methods for small skinks and record the limitations of each survey.

Check the development footprint against the known northern Kimberley range, the Kalumburu type locality and available fauna records. Atlas records cover a limited set of 0.1-degree locations, so do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general practice for small skinks, conduct careful searches of accessible ground-level cover and suitable natural substrate. Keep searches systematic, record effort and weather conditions, and avoid destructive searching unless it is authorised and covered by a fauna procedure.

The species' activity periods and survey detectability have not been established. Report any non-detection with the survey methods and limitations.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Record location, date, habitat observations, photographs and identification confidence. Use the documented diagnostic traits where visible and seek expert confirmation for uncertain records.

Do not handle or collect an animal unless authorised and necessary under the applicable fauna management procedure.

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. Review records and approvals

Plan works on the assumption that the species may be present in suitable parts of its known range, even where surveys have not detected it.

Review current DBCA advice, available records, survey reports and project approval conditions. Confirm whether fauna survey, handling or relocation permits and specialist support are required.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief crews and mark areas

Brief clearing crews on the possibility of encountering small skinks, the stop-work and reporting procedure, and the limits on handling. Clearly mark approved clearing boundaries and any areas to be retained.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Prepare response arrangements

Confirm who will assess an animal found during works, who can authorise handling, and where observations will be recorded. Ensure suitable communication and an agreed procedure are in place before disturbance begins.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear methodically

Use controlled clearing and respond promptly to any fauna encounter. These are general precautions for small skinks, not species-specific requirements.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and proceed in a controlled manner that allows fauna spotters to inspect areas before and during disturbance. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of retained ground cover.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Pause for an encounter

Stop work in the immediate area if a suspected individual is found. Notify the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist and follow the approved project procedure before work resumes.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Protect and document

Do not chase, injure or handle the animal without authorisation. If handling is approved, use gentle methods and avoid pressure on the tail. Record the location, circumstances, photographs and actions taken.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Check the work area

After an encounter or clearing event, retain a clear record and review whether additional precautions are needed.

Have the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist check the immediate work area in accordance with the project procedure before disturbance resumes. Do not conduct additional searching that damages cover or habitat.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Record and report

Document survey effort, detections, non-detections, injuries or mortalities, handling and any changes to the work method. Report records through the project's environmental reporting process and follow applicable DBCA or approval requirements.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Review controls

Review whether the encounter indicates a need to adjust work sequencing, exclusion areas or crew briefings. Seek advice from the project ecologist where identification or management implications remain uncertain.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the footprint

Species-specific habitat requirements for rehabilitation have not been documented. Restore disturbed areas using the project's approved local rehabilitation plan, and avoid claiming species-specific benefits without evidence.

Rehabilitate disturbed ground in accordance with approval conditions and the site rehabilitation plan. Use locally appropriate methods and materials, and prevent unnecessary disturbance beyond the approved footprint.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Protect retained areas

Keep retained natural areas protected from vehicle access, storage and additional clearing. The vegetation, substrate or cover features essential for this species have not been established.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Monitor and adapt

Record rehabilitation actions and inspect outcomes as required by the project plan. Treat any later skink observation as useful site information, but do not infer that the species has recolonised or that habitat is suitable without supporting evidence.

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