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Montane Rock Skink (Liopholis montana)

The Montane Rock Skink is a stout, burrowing skink of rocky montane and subalpine habitats in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. It lives in small, isolated colonies beneath boulders and other rocky refuges, so clearing, road construction, fire and disturbance around rock features can remove shelter and harm animals that are difficult to detect during site works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Australian Capital Territory, Nature Conservation Act 2014: Endangered.

Breeding season

Mating has been observed in October, gravid females have been recorded from November to March, and one confirmed litter was born in February. Plan clearing for the cooler months where possible, but treat burrow systems beneath rocks as occupied refuges throughout the year.

Reproductive mode: Live birth, or viviparous reproduction.

Litter size: Up to four young.

Gestation: Not recorded. One female collected on 7 January gave birth on 25 February, but this does not establish a confirmed gestation period.

Size at birth: Mean snout to vent length 38 mm, with individual lengths of 36 to 39 mm. Mean weight was 1.5 g.

Age at maturity: Adults are identified at approximately 74 mm snout to vent length. Age at maturity is not recorded.

Nest or birth sites: Birth sites are not recorded. The species shelters and breeds within burrow systems beneath rocks.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Confirm timing with local records and the project ecologist, especially where elevation, temperature, snow cover or rainfall changes the period when animals emerge to bask.

  • Mating: A pair was observed mating in October 2024. No wider mating season has been established, so confirm timing locally before works.
  • Gravid females: Gravid females were recorded during field sampling conducted from November to March. A gravid female was specifically recorded on 7 January, but the peak period is unknown.
  • Births: One confirmed litter of four was born in February 2006 in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. Birth timing is otherwise poorly documented.
  • Newborns: Four newborns were recorded from the February 2006 litter. Newborn abundance and emergence timing across the range are not recorded.
  • Active period: Use October to March as the main planning window for surface activity, based on an October mating observation and surveys recording activity from November to March. The species basks near burrow entrances, and activity is likely to shorten at higher elevations with colder temperatures and snow cover.
  • Winter inactivity: Brumation and defined low-activity months are not recorded for this species. As general planning guidance for an alpine, heliothermic skink, treat April to September as a period when animals may remain in rocky burrows for longer, particularly during cold conditions or snow cover.
  • Highest clearing risk: October to March combines the documented mating, gravid-female, birth and surface-activity records. Clearing can also crush or block occupied burrows in every month, so rocky refuge systems require protection year round.

Identification

The Montane Rock Skink is a stout-bodied skink associated with rocky shelter sites. It is usually detected by direct observation at boulder fields or by locating occupied burrow systems rather than by conspicuous tracks, calls or other signs.

The head, body, limbs and tail are generally grey-brown. Most individuals are plain-backed, with a reddish-brown dorsum. A patterned morph has dorsolateral blotches or vermiculation that can sometimes form an outline around spots of the underlying brown colour.

Adults are considered mature at approximately 74 mm snout to vent length. Mean adult snout to vent length is 92 mm and the maximum recorded adult length is 111 mm.

Adult size: Approximately 74 to 111 mm snout to vent length, with a mean adult length of 92 mm.

Colour forms: Plain-backed and patterned morphs occur.

Identification: Similar species

The Montane Rock Skink can be separated from White's Skink, Liopholis whitii, by the absence of dark-edged, pale, ocellate markings, especially above the base of the forelimb.

It can be separated from Guthega Skink, Liopholis guthega, by the absence of broad paravertebral stripes. Because these Liopholis species can occur along adjacent elevation bands, identification should be confirmed before animals are moved or habitat is disturbed.

Identification: Field signs and handling

The main field sign is an elaborate burrow network beneath rocks, often associated with a colony and one or more rocky shelter sites. Small subpopulations may consist of only one or two warrens, each containing a small number of lizards.

The species is reported to have high site fidelity and can be missed during surveys. Do not lift, roll or break apart boulders, slabs or rock scree to check for animals unless this is authorised and undertaken by an appropriately qualified fauna ecologist.

The supplied documents do not report reliable tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine for this species. Absence of visible lizards should not be treated as evidence that a rocky refuge is unoccupied.

  • Treat connected burrows, crevices and sheltering rocks as potential habitat during pre-clearing inspections.
  • If a skink is found, stop work around the shelter feature and obtain species-specific direction from the project ecologist or relevant authority before capture or relocation.

Distribution: States and bioregional range

The national range is restricted to upland south-eastern Australia. Records are disjunct, and extensive survey effort has produced few additional records, indicating that occupied sites may be separated by unsuitable or modified habitat.

In the ACT, the species occurs in the Bimberi Range, including Mt Gingera. In NSW, it occurs in the Snowy Mountains, with records including Rennix Gap, Whites River and near Smiggin Holes.

In Victoria, records extend along the higher elevations of the Great Dividing Range, including the Alpine National Park, the upper Yarra and Dandenong ranges, Wombat State Forest, and Davies Plain in the north-east. The Wombat State Forest records are at approximately 620 m elevation, while the broader range reaches approximately 1800 m at Mt Gingera.

Australian states and territories: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.

Known protected areas: Alpine National Park, Kosciuszko National Park and Namadgi National Park.

Known elevation range: Approximately 620 m to 1800 m above sea level.

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

Known occurrences include montane and subalpine rocky sites in the Australian Alps, the Snowy Mountains and the Victorian uplands. The species also has isolated lower-elevation occurrences at Wombat State Forest and Sassafras in the Dandenong ranges.

The species occurs in apparently isolated colonies. The available information indicates that some subpopulations contain only one or two warrens, each with a small number of lizards. Poor dispersal ability and isolation make recolonisation of damaged sites unlikely.

Area of occupancy: Estimated at 196 km² using records from 1965 to 2021.

Known and likely distribution: Estimated at 17,118 km².

Extent of occurrence: Calculated at 50,496 km² from records dating from 1965 to 2017.

Number of locations: Assessed as one for conservation assessment purposes because a single large fire could affect a large part, or potentially all, of the suitable habitat.

Population size and trend: A reliable total population estimate is not available. The species is uncommon, occurs in small disjunct colonies, and mature individuals are inferred to be declining.

Habitat: Vegetation and structure

Montane Rock Skinks occupy open, rocky habitats where boulders, slabs, scree or tors are embedded within native vegetation. The same rock structures provide shelter, basking sites, burrows, breeding areas, feeding areas and places for social interactions.

Documented vegetation includes tall open forest, open forest, woodland, snow gum woodland and heathland in montane and subalpine areas. Surveyed sites were commonly associated with granite outcrops and subsurface boulders in open snow gum woodland or tall open forest.

Important structural features include granite or basalt boulders, rocks, slabs, rock scree, tors, crevices, exposed basking surfaces and large logs. Local habitat also includes surrounding leaf litter, ground cover and vegetation that supports foraging and provides cover.

  • Map and retain rocky outcrops, boulder fields, slabs, scree, tors and large logs within and next to the work area.
  • Inspect the ground beneath and around rocky features before clearing, trenching, grading or vehicle access.
  • Keep access tracks, stockpiles, spoil and site compounds away from connected rock refuges wherever practicable.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

The species occurs from approximately 620 m to 1800 m above sea level. The NSW assessment describes habitat from 600 m to 1700 m, while research sites for the species were at 1340 to 1370 m and 1640 to 1660 m.

The activity season is shortened at higher elevations, where snow cover can persist for several months. Rocky burrows and crevices provide protection from fire, extreme weather and predators.

Documented range: Approximately 620 m to 1800 m above sea level.

Research elevations: 1340 to 1370 m and 1640 to 1660 m for Liopholis montana study populations.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The Montane Rock Skink forages around its rocky refuge sites and associated open forest, woodland or heathland. The available documents provide limited detail on individual prey items and foraging distances.

The species is omnivorous and includes seasonal fruits in its diet. It uses rocky habitat and surrounding vegetation for foraging, as well as for shelter, thermoregulation and social interactions.

The supplied documents do not identify particular fruit species, insect taxa or a measured foraging radius. Do not assume that bare rock alone is sufficient habitat, because the surrounding ground cover, vegetation and logs may contribute to food availability.

Diet: Omnivorous, including seasonal fruits.

Foraging range: Not quantified in the supplied documents; foraging is associated with the rocky refuge and surrounding montane or subalpine vegetation.

  • Retain native ground cover, leaf litter, logs and low vegetation around occupied or potential rocky refuges.
  • Avoid clearing fruiting plants or stripping ground cover around boulder fields unless the impact has been assessed by the project ecologist.
  • Limit night lighting, vehicle movement and repeated disturbance around known colonies because the species has permanent burrows and predictable activity patterns.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs within the colony and its connected rocky refuge system. The documents provide information on litter size and pair bonds, but do not establish a precise mating, birth or maturity calendar.

The species appears to live in colonies and to form stable pair bonds. Females give birth to live young, with up to four young reported per female.

Gravid females were recorded during field sampling, but the supplied documents do not provide a confirmed month for mating or birth. They also do not provide a measured gestation period, lifespan or age at maturity.

Breeding mode: Live birth.

Breeding season: Not established in the supplied documents. Gravid females were sampled during field work conducted between November and March.

Litter size: Up to four young.

Gestation: Not reported.

Age at maturity: Not reported. Adults are identified at approximately 74 mm snout to vent length.

Lifespan: Not reported.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Potential breeding habitat includes occupied burrow networks beneath boulders, slabs, scree, tors and other rocks, together with nearby logs and native vegetation. These features provide shelter from weather and predators and space for thermoregulation and social interactions.

Because colonies may contain only one or two warrens, removing a single rock feature or separating it from nearby habitat may affect breeding opportunities at the site.

  • Treat all connected burrows beneath or between rocks as potential breeding habitat during clearing.
  • Do not disturb gravid females, young or occupied burrows without a species-specific handling and relocation plan approved by the project ecologist.

Sheltering habitat: Burrows and rocky refuges

Shelter is the defining habitat feature for this species. Montane Rock Skinks construct and occupy burrow networks beneath rocks, and may also use large logs and crevices.

The species constructs burrow networks beneath rocks and lives in colonies. Refuge features include granite and basalt boulders, rocks, slabs, scree and tors. Large logs can also provide shelter.

Burrows and rock structures provide refuge from fire, extreme weather and predators, and are also used for breeding, foraging, thermoregulation and social interactions. No standard burrow width, depth or rock size is reported in the supplied documents.

Shelter type: Burrow networks beneath rocks, with additional use of crevices and large logs.

Colony structure: Small colonies, sometimes consisting of one or two warrens.

Shelter dimensions: Not reported.

  • Assume that a boulder, slab, scree patch, tor or large log may contain connected shelter until inspected by a qualified fauna ecologist.
  • Prevent crushing, vibration, burial, rolling or removal of potential refuge features by machinery and vehicles.
  • Maintain a buffer around known burrow systems and keep spoil, materials and sediment from filling crevices or burrow entrances.

Threats: Clearing, roads and fragmentation

The Montane Rock Skink has a restricted, fragmented distribution and poor apparent dispersal ability. Threats that remove rocky shelter, alter surrounding vegetation or increase mortality near colonies can have effects that are difficult to reverse.

Logging and road building occur within parts of the range and can remove or degrade rocky habitat. Development and infrastructure can also isolate colonies by clearing the vegetation and ground structure around their refuge sites.

The species has poor apparent dispersal ability, and recolonisation of sites affected by fire or high predation pressure is considered unlikely. A small work footprint can therefore have a disproportionate effect if it contains one of the few warrens at a site.

  • Complete targeted pre-clearing surveys of rocky habitat, including boulder fields, slabs, scree, tors, large logs and likely burrow entrances.
  • Avoid locating roads, compounds, access tracks, trenches and spoil areas across rocky refuges or between connected shelter features.
  • Fence and mark exclusion areas before machinery enters the site, and brief all operators that rocks and logs must not be moved without approval.

Threats: Fire and planned burning

Increased wildfire frequency, extent and severity are major threats. Fire can cause direct mortality, reduce logs and foraging habitat, degrade shelter and increase predation risk during post-fire succession.

Approximately 32 percent, or 5389 km², of the known and likely modelled distribution was burnt in the 2019 to 2020 fires. Prescribed burning within the distribution is also identified as a current and future risk.

2019 to 2020 fire exposure: Approximately 32 percent, or 5389 km², of the known and likely modelled distribution was burnt.

Predicted post-fire decline: Expert elicitation predicted up to an 11 percent population decline 10 years after fire, with an 80 percent confidence lower bound of 32 percent population loss, assuming no further extensive fire events.

  • Keep site fire planning from removing or burning rocky refuge complexes and associated logs unnecessarily.
  • After fire, inspect surviving rocky habitat for damaged burrows, increased predator access and loss of surrounding foraging cover before starting works.

Threats: Predators and introduced herbivores

Feral cats and foxes are suspected major predators. Permanent burrows, colonial living and activity in open areas may make the species predictable to predators, especially after fire.

Feral horses and deer can degrade shelter, food resources and surrounding vegetation. Their effects are documented for related reptiles and are considered a current and future risk to Montane Rock Skinks.

  • Do not leave food, rubbish or other attractants near known colonies.
  • Avoid creating open, rubble-free corridors that give feral predators easier access to burrow entrances.
  • Control feral herbivore access where this is part of the approved project and regional management programme.

Threats: Climate change and hydrology

Climate change is expected to alter alpine and subalpine woodland and reduce suitable habitat, particularly through more frequent severe fires and changes in vegetation at higher elevations.

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific hydrology change threat or provide a hydrological threshold. Works should nevertheless avoid drainage, ponding, erosion and sediment movement that could fill rock crevices or alter the ground conditions around occupied refuges.

  • Keep drainage lines and sediment controls away from burrow entrances and rock crevices.
  • Prevent changes in runoff, water concentration or erosion from destabilising boulders or burying shelter features.

Survey methodology: 1. Targeted searches of rocky habitat

Survey the Montane Rock Skink, also called the Mountain Skink, as a cryptic, colonial rock-dwelling reptile. Focus effort on rocky habitat and burrow networks in montane and subalpine vegetation, particularly during the warmer activity period from November to March.

Search granite and basalt boulders, slabs, rock screes, tors, large logs and associated crevices in open forest, woodland and heathland.

Inspect the entrances and immediate surrounds of burrow networks beneath rocks, because the species shelters in burrows and has high site fidelity.

Search along topographic contours and around known or modelled habitat rather than relying only on random transects. A published study extended searches up to 5 km from previous records when locating populations.

Undertake searches between November and March where practicable, matching the published survey period for Liopholis populations.

Published survey period: November to March

Published search extension from records: Up to 5 km

Published survey elevations: 920 to 1860 m above sea level

Species habitat elevation reported by the NSW assessment: 600 to 1700 m above sea level

  • Record the location of every suitable rock feature, burrow entrance, basking site, scat, shed skin and skink observation.
  • Search carefully around rocks and crevices without dismantling occupied burrows or destabilising slabs.
  • Use hand capture or a noose pole only where authorised, trained personnel consider it safe and necessary.

Survey methodology: 2. Repeated searches and detection interpretation

Treat a non-detection cautiously. The species occurs in small, isolated colonies, may occupy only one or two warrens at a site and can be missed even where suitable habitat is present.

Repeat targeted searches where rocky habitat is extensive, the first search is unsuccessful, or fire, logging or construction may have reduced detectability.

Give priority to warm, suitable basking conditions and to periods when animals are likely to be active, while recording weather and ground conditions for every search.

Use existing records, local knowledge and state fauna databases to identify nearby colonies before finalising survey locations.

  • Do not conclude that habitat is unoccupied from a single brief inspection.
  • Record search dates, start and finish times, observers, weather, areas searched, rock features inspected and the result for each search area.
  • Map the searched area and all unsurveyed rocky features so that survey coverage is clear in the project report.

Survey methodology: 3. Capture, identification and habitat assessment

Confirm identification before reporting a record because the Mountain Skink can resemble other Liopholis species. It lacks the dark-edged pale ocellate markings of Liopholis whitii and the broad paravertebral stripes of Liopholis guthega.

Record the colour morph, sex where safely determined, snout to vent length if the animal is lawfully handled, and the exact shelter feature used.

Adults are approximately 74 mm or more in snout to vent length, with a mean adult length of 92 mm and a maximum reported length of 111 mm.

Assess and photograph rock cover, crevice width, soil, leaf litter, ground cover, mid-storey cover, canopy and logs around each detection.

Adult size threshold: Approximately 74 mm snout to vent length

Mean adult size: 92 mm snout to vent length

Maximum reported adult size: 111 mm snout to vent length

  • Use the least stressful lawful capture method and release the animal promptly at the approved release location.
  • Do not retain animals for identification or measurement unless the relevant permit and project procedure allow it.
  • Photograph the animal and shelter feature where this can be done without handling or disturbing the colony.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use a qualified ecologist to set the final effort because the supplied documents do not prescribe a standard number of nights, trap nights, transect length or search hours for this species.
  • Submit confirmed records, negative survey results from suitable habitat and mapped colony locations to the relevant state wildlife database or atlas.
  • Report the search method, effort, conditions, observer qualifications, identification evidence, exact coordinates and habitat feature for every record.
  • Check whether the record or proposed disturbance requires reporting under the EPBC Act and the applicable ACT, New South Wales or Victorian requirements.
  • Retain photographs, field sheets, spatial data, permits and fauna handling records with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid disturbing occupied rocky habitat wherever possible. This species has a highly restricted area of occupancy, isolated subpopulations and poor apparent dispersal ability, so retaining each colony and its shelter network is preferable to relying on relocation.

Main habitat features to retain: Granite or basalt rocks, boulders, slabs, screes, tors, logs, crevices and burrow networks

Known habitat setting: Montane and subalpine open forest, woodland and heathland

  • Redesign the work area to retain granite and basalt boulders, slabs, screes, tors, rock crevices, large logs and connected open forest, woodland or heathland habitat.
  • Retain the full burrow network and the surrounding foraging, basking and movement area, not only the visible rock at the burrow entrance.
  • Avoid fragmenting colonies or isolating retained rocky habitat with roads, compounds, drains, fencing or other hard barriers.
  • Avoid works in montane and subalpine habitat wherever practicable, particularly within the species' known elevation band of 600 to 1700 m.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

National status: Endangered under the EPBC Act

State status supplied for the profile: Endangered in the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria

Active survey period reported in the literature: November to March

  • Check whether the action needs an EPBC Act referral because the species is nationally listed as Endangered.
  • Obtain the relevant state approvals, threatened species permissions, scientific licences and wildlife handling authorisations before survey, capture or disturbance.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies retained colonies, exclusion areas, search methods, authorised handlers, release arrangements, stop-work triggers and reporting requirements.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat is protected before machinery enters the site and so that any fauna response can be managed without rushing.
  • Schedule the most disruptive work outside the active period from November to March where practicable, while recognising that sheltering animals may still be present outside that period.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance survey of all rocky habitat, logs and suspected burrow networks inside and adjacent to the disturbance footprint.
  • Mark no-go areas around retained rocks, burrows, colonies and access routes, using a buffer set by the project ecologist and approval conditions.
  • Install exclusion fencing only where it will not block movement between retained shelter, basking and foraging areas and where a fauna ecologist confirms it is suitable.
  • Brief operators and spotter catchers with maps and photographs of the species, its shelter features and the daily stop-work procedure.
  • Control access, stockpiling, vehicle parking and spoil placement so that retained rocks, logs, crevices and burrow entrances are not covered or compacted.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Keep the spotter catcher, ecologist and machine operator in direct contact throughout ground disturbance. Work slowly around rocks and burrows, because direct fire effects may be partly buffered by shelter but post-disturbance predation, habitat loss and habitat modification remain serious risks.

  • Hold a daily pre-start briefing covering the mapped exclusion areas, weather, planned work, authorised handlers and stop-work triggers.
  • Inspect exclusion fencing, gates, signage and retained habitat before machinery starts and after breaks or changes in the work area.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher to inspect the next work section before machinery moves, with the operator stopping immediately when directed.
  • Keep machinery outside marked exclusion areas and do not drag, roll, bury or stack rocks and logs unless the approved fauna management plan specifically allows the action.
  • Use staged clearing so the spotter catcher can inspect each section before vegetation, soil, rocks or debris are removed.

During habitat disturbance: Rocks, logs and burrows

  • Assume that a rock, slab, log or crevice connected to a burrow network may be occupied until it has been checked by an authorised person.
  • Do not lift or dismantle shelter rocks by hand or machine during routine clearing.
  • If an occupied feature must be moved, stop work and require the project ecologist to approve the method, timing, handling and release arrangements before proceeding.
  • Keep removed rocks and logs intact and place them in approved retained habitat only under the direction of the fauna ecologist.
  • Do not fill, collapse, trench through or compact a burrow network.

During habitat disturbance: If a skink is found

  • Stop work within the immediate area and keep people, machinery and dogs away from the animal and its shelter.
  • Allow only an appropriately authorised and trained fauna handler to capture, examine or move the skink.
  • Do not chase the animal into a burrow, pull it from a crevice or use unapproved chemicals, smoke, water or excavation to remove it.
  • Keep the animal in a cool, secure container for the shortest time possible if temporary containment is authorised by the project procedure.
  • Release the animal into nearby retained habitat with suitable rocks, crevices and burrows only where that release has been approved by the relevant authority and project ecologist.
  • Take an injured animal to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian under the project fauna procedure and record the transfer.
  • Resume work only after the ecologist confirms that the animal, shelter feature and surrounding colony are safe and the stop-work record is complete.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a Mountain Skink is found, a suspected colony or burrow network is exposed, exclusion controls fail, or machinery enters a marked no-go area.
  • Stop work if fire, smoke, falling rocks, vibration or other activity threatens retained shelter features or safe fauna handling.
  • Record every sighting, capture, injury, relocation, mortality, escape, near miss and breach of the fauna management plan.
  • Record the date, time, coordinates, habitat feature, work activity, personnel, photographs, action taken and approval for any release or relocation.
  • Notify the project manager, ecologist and relevant regulator when required by the approval conditions or fauna management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Completion checks

Treat completion of earthworks as the start of recovery, not the end of fauna management. Check that retained shelter and movement areas remain functional and that construction has not increased fire, predator or habitat degradation risks.

  • Complete a post-clearance inspection of all retained rocks, slabs, screes, logs, crevices and burrow networks beside the work area.
  • Remove temporary materials, spoil, sediment, fencing and waste that block access to retained habitat or could trap reptiles.
  • Check for exposed burrows, unstable slabs, new drainage paths, soil compaction, weed establishment and damage from vehicles.
  • Map any remaining suitable habitat and update the project fauna register with the final disturbance footprint and retained areas.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and controls

  • Undertake follow-up searches at retained colonies using the approved project method, with timing and frequency set by the ecologist and approval conditions.
  • Continue exclusion fencing, access controls and machinery restrictions until the ecologist confirms that construction risks have ended.
  • Inspect retained habitat after major fire, flood, erosion, road work or other events that could affect shelter, prey resources or connectivity.
  • Monitor for feral cat and fox activity, feral horse or deer damage, logging impacts and changes to rock, log and vegetation cover.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

  • Provide the regulator and approval holder with the final survey, clearance, fauna incident, relocation and mortality records required by the approval.
  • Submit confirmed records and significant negative survey results to the relevant state wildlife database or atlas.
  • Assess any residual impact against the EPBC Act approval and state approval conditions before deciding whether an offset, conservation payment or other compensatory measure is required.
  • Document any failure to retain colonies, burrow networks or habitat connectivity and identify corrective actions.

Rehabilitation actions: Rebuild rocky shelter and vegetation

Rehabilitation should recreate the shelter structure and open rocky habitat used by the species, rather than relying on planting alone. Prioritise reconnection of retained colonies and protection from fire, introduced predators and feral herbivores.

Habitat used for foraging and shelter: Rocky features, large logs, open forest, woodland and heathland

Functions of habitat: Refuge, foraging, breeding, burrowing, thermoregulation and social interactions

  • Reinstate locally sourced granite or basalt boulders, slabs, scree and crevice structures where approved, using designs that create stable shelter spaces and do not bury existing burrows.
  • Replace large logs removed for construction where this can be done safely and lawfully, because logs can provide shelter in addition to rocks.
  • Re-establish local montane or subalpine open forest, woodland or heathland vegetation around rocky shelter, using locally appropriate native species selected by the project ecologist.
  • Keep restored rocky habitat connected to retained habitat and avoid dense barriers that prevent movement between colonies, shelter and foraging areas.
  • Prevent stockpiles, weeds, sediment, drainage works and vehicle access from covering or compacting restored shelter.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, predators and introduced herbivores

Threats identified in the assessment: More frequent and severe wildfire, logging and roads, prescribed burning, feral cat and fox predation, and habitat degradation by feral horses and deer

  • Develop fire management with the land manager so that prescribed burning does not remove important long-unburned rocky habitat or expose colonies to increased post-fire predation.
  • Use approved feral cat and fox control around restoration areas where monitoring shows a risk and control is permitted.
  • Manage feral horses and deer to reduce trampling, shelter loss, soil disturbance and loss of food resources.
  • Avoid broad habitat modification that removes logs, rock cover or vegetation needed for shelter and foraging.

Rehabilitation actions: Success measures and monitoring

Published active survey period: November to March

Published habitat assessment variables: Rock, soil, leaf litter, ground cover, mid-storey, canopy, crevice width and logs

  • Set success measures for survival of retained colonies, continued access to burrow networks, stable rock and log cover, vegetation establishment and absence of new barriers.
  • Photograph and map restored rocks, logs, burrows and vegetation plots before works and at each monitoring visit.
  • Search restored and connected habitat during the approved active period from November to March and compare detection results with the pre-clearance baseline.
  • Investigate any decline in detections, new predator activity, fire damage, erosion or loss of shelter and implement corrective action.
  • Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval, rehabilitation plan or conservation advice, and submit records to the relevant wildlife database.

Sources