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Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink (Austroablepharus kinghorni)

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is a small, striped terrestrial skink with a distinctive orange to red adult tail. It occurs in inland parts of Australia, including New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, and may be encountered on works sites with cracked clay soils and grassland habitat. It is profiled as an EVNT species, with a Rare listing in South Australia, so habitat disturbance should be planned conservatively and supported by targeted ecological advice.

Conservation status

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Rare.

Breeding season

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is poorly known, and no breeding months have been documented. It is day active and uses cracked clay soils, so activity and detection are likely to increase during warmer periods, with variation between regions and years.

Breeding mode: Not recorded

Breeding months: Not recorded

Clutch or litter size: Not recorded

Incubation period: Not recorded

Hatching, weaning and dependency: Not recorded

Age at maturity: Not recorded

Breeding site: Not recorded

Seasonal activity may vary with rainfall, soil moisture, temperature and local conditions, so surveys and fauna handling should be adjusted for the site and year.

  • Daytime surface activity: Daytime activity is expected throughout the year, with generally higher activity during warmer months.
  • Breeding and egg laying: No seasonal breeding window can be assigned because breeding timing and breeding sites have not been recorded.
  • Eggs and dependent young: The timing and duration of egg attendance, hatching and juvenile dependency are not recorded.
  • General sheltering or reduced detectability: Individuals may remain concealed in soil cracks or other shelter during unsuitable conditions, but no seasonal pattern is documented.
  • Highest clearing risk: Treat clearing as a year round risk, with greater likelihood of encounters and harm during warmer periods when skinks are more active; breeding risk remains unresolved.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is a small, slender skink with longitudinal stripes and a conspicuous orange to red adult tail. Identification is best confirmed from a combination of body pattern, tail colour, scale characters and habitat, because several small striped skinks can occur in inland grassland areas.

Adults are small, reaching about 45 mm snout to vent length. The genus diagnosis gives an adult maximum of 51 mm.

The body is brown with narrow pale stripes. The dorsal scales have pale centres and darker lateral edges. The adult tail is red or orange, with an orange flush recorded in breeding males.

Midbody scale rows: 20 to 22 in the species.

Paravertebral scales: 55 to 64 in the species.

Frontoparietals: Fused.

  • Pentadactyl limbs.
  • Small ear opening.
  • Body scales arranged in distinct longitudinal stripes.
  • Lower eyelid immovable and partly fused to the upper eyelid, forming a permanent spectacle.

Identification: Similar species

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink belongs to the striped kinghorni group, which also includes Austroablepharus barrylyoni and Austroablepharus naranjicaudus. Detailed field separation from these species may require an experienced herpetologist or specimen based confirmation.

It can be confused with small Proablepharus skinks. Adults of Proablepharus reginae and Proablepharus tenuis are generally smaller, less strongly patterned and have brown rather than red or orange adult tails. Juveniles of those species can retain red tails, so tail colour alone is not sufficient.

Typical group size: 45 to 51 mm snout to vent length.

Subdigital lamellae: Finely keeled.

  • Look for a striped body, keeled subdigital lamellae and fused frontoparietals.
  • Use photographs and measurements where handling is authorised.
  • Obtain expert confirmation when the species is detected in a proposed clearing area.

Identification: Calls and field signs

No call or echolocation system is associated with this species. It is a small terrestrial skink, so direct sightings are more useful than acoustic surveys.

There are no established species specific descriptions of droppings, nests, whitewash, stains or odour. The animal may be detected when it moves from cracks in clay soil, grass tussocks or other ground refuges during daytime searches.

  • Record the animal's location, habitat, soil surface, photographs and any capture or release details.
  • Do not rely on droppings or other indirect signs for identification.
  • Treat a small striped skink with an orange or red adult tail as a possible record until checked by a suitably qualified ecologist.

Distribution: Australian range

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is an Australian species. Mapped records span inland areas of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, but the available distribution information does not define a complete state by state range.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. A confirmed image locality is Durham Downs in Queensland.

Queensland records include the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion and the Longreach local government area. These records show occurrence in inland Queensland, but they should not be treated as a complete range map.

  • New South Wales.
  • Northern Territory.
  • Queensland, including inland records near Durham Downs, the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion and Longreach.
  • South Australia.

Distribution: What to check on a site

Search project databases and government biodiversity portals before clearing. A species may be present even when it is absent from a local report, and a historical record does not confirm that the species still occupies the site.

Give additional attention to inland grassland and clay soil landscapes, especially where cracked ground is present. Confirm records at the site scale before works begin.

  • Review records within and around the development footprint.
  • Map cracked clay areas, grassland patches and undisturbed ground refuges.
  • Check whether a record is current, accurately located and supported by a photograph or expert identification.

Distribution: Overseas range

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is an Australian species. No overseas range is recognised for project planning.

Habitat: Habitat features to look for

The species is terrestrial and is associated with ground level environments. The available ecological information is limited, so site assessments should focus on retaining the soil surface, grassland structure and ground refuges that small skinks can use.

The suggested common name for the genus is Grassland Striped Skinks, and records include inland grassland landscapes. The species has also been recorded foraging in cracked clay soils.

On a works site, inspect open grassland and sparsely wooded areas with intact soil surfaces. Give particular attention to clay plains, cracking clay depressions and edges between grassland and disturbed ground.

  • Cracked clay soils and clay plains.
  • Native grassland or grass dominated ground cover.
  • Small soil fissures and compacted but naturally cracked ground.
  • Undisturbed patches between access tracks, pads and cleared areas.

Habitat: Site assessment

The species is poorly known in several aspects of its ecology. A habitat assessment should therefore record the features that can be measured directly rather than assuming that apparently open ground has low fauna value.

Walk the full clearing footprint and nearby retained areas. Map habitat patches, soil type, ground cover, existing disturbance and any skinks seen during daytime activity.

  • Photograph representative soil and vegetation conditions.
  • Record whether cracks remain open, partly filled or sealed.
  • Mark habitat that can be avoided or retained during construction.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is day active and forages in cracked clay soils. Its diet is not established in the available species account, so management should protect the ground surface and the small invertebrate resources associated with intact grassland.

Look for the species on and around cracked clay surfaces, particularly where cracks intersect with grass tussocks, low vegetation and other ground cover. Activity may be easier to detect during warm daylight periods, but no species specific survey season has been established.

Avoid treating bare clay as unused habitat. Cracks can provide both feeding areas and immediate refuge from heat and predators.

  • Inspect open cracks, crack margins and nearby tussocks.
  • Search along the edges of vehicle tracks and earthworks only where these areas retain natural cracks and vegetation.
  • Keep machinery and spoil from covering suitable cracked soil during survey and construction.

Foraging habitat: Foraging management

Retain patches of native ground cover and avoid unnecessary soil sealing. Limit grading, filling, repeated vehicle traffic and chemical use in retained habitat.

Where clearing cannot be avoided, a qualified fauna ecologist should select appropriate search and handling methods for the site. Any capture and release should follow the relevant approval and animal welfare requirements.

  • Stage works to minimise the area of exposed or compacted soil.
  • Keep spoil, wash water and construction materials out of retained grassland.
  • Reinstate natural soil profiles and ground cover where temporary access is removed.

Breeding habitat: Breeding places

Breeding habitat and breeding timing are not well established for this species. The orange flush recorded on breeding males confirms a breeding related colour feature, but it does not identify a particular nest type or breeding season.

No specific nest, burrow, colony or maternity site is identified for the Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink. In the absence of better information, treat intact cracked soil, grass tussocks and connected ground refuges as potential breeding habitat.

Do not excavate, fill or seal cracks within a proposed clearing area without first considering whether skinks or eggs could be present.

  • Retain undisturbed soil refuges where practicable.
  • Avoid stripping topsoil from habitat patches before fauna inspection.
  • Seek species specific advice if animals are found in cracks, under ground cover or during soil disturbance.

Breeding habitat: Breeding timing and works planning

No reliable breeding months, clutch size, incubation period or age at maturity are established in the available account. Do not assume that a site is free of breeding activity outside a particular season.

For an EVNT species, plan searches before clearing and use a conservative approach where suitable habitat cannot be avoided.

  • Complete pre-clearance checks shortly before works.
  • Include retained habitat and the edge of the clearing footprint in inspections.
  • Stop and reassess if skinks, eggs or occupied soil refuges are found.

Sheltering habitat: Likely shelter features

Specific sheltering and roosting behaviour has not been described. As a small terrestrial skink that uses cracked clay soils, the species is likely to depend on ground level fissures and cover, so these features should be retained wherever practicable.

Inspect soil cracks, grass tussocks and small areas of ground cover for sheltering skinks. Cracks may provide protection from heat and predators, particularly in open inland landscapes.

The species is not a cave, hollow or colony dwelling animal. Do not apply bat or hollow bearing tree survey assumptions to this skink.

  • Open clay cracks.
  • Grass tussock bases.
  • Leaf litter and low ground cover where present.
  • Edges of intact soil patches beside disturbed areas.

Sheltering habitat: Pre-clearance and handling

A fauna spotter catcher should inspect suitable ground refuges before clearing. Search methods should be selected for local conditions and approved by the project ecologist or regulator, because species specific effort guidance is not established.

If an animal is located, pause work in the immediate area and follow the project's approved capture, release and reporting procedure.

  • Use a staged, controlled clearing approach where authorised.
  • Avoid crushing or burying cracks with machinery before inspection.
  • Maintain a clear record of locations, actions taken and release sites.

Threats: Clearing and earthworks

The main project risks are loss of cracked clay habitat, direct mortality during clearing and changes to soil and ground cover. The species is poorly known, so a precautionary approach is appropriate, particularly in South Australia where it is listed as Rare.

Grading, excavation, trenching, filling and soil stripping can remove cracks and ground refuges. Direct mortality can occur when machinery crosses occupied soil or when animals are buried, crushed or trapped in excavations.

Keep the clearing footprint as small as practicable. Clearly mark retained habitat and prevent accidental entry by machinery or storage areas.

  • Avoid unnecessary clearing of grassland and cracked clay.
  • Inspect the footprint before stripping or grading.
  • Use fauna spotter catcher supervision during high risk ground disturbance.

Threats: Soil sealing and compaction

Roads, hardstands, buildings and repeated vehicle movements can seal or compact clay soils. This removes fissures and changes the ground conditions used by small skinks.

Protect retained habitat from vehicle movement, spoil placement, concrete washout and construction traffic.

  • Fence or otherwise define no go areas.
  • Keep spoil and materials off retained soil.
  • Remove temporary surfaces and rehabilitate disturbed ground after works.

Threats: Ground cover and fire management

Removal of grass cover can reduce shelter and foraging opportunities. Broad scale or poorly timed fire and intensive grazing may also simplify ground structure, although species specific responses are not established.

Retain a mosaic of native ground cover and bare cracked soil where safe and compatible with the project.

  • Avoid unnecessary slashing or vegetation removal in retained habitat.
  • Plan fire and fuel treatments with an ecologist where records or suitable habitat are present.
  • Monitor rehabilitation for return of ground cover and natural soil cracking.

Threats: Status and response level

The species is profiled as an EVNT species. It is listed as Rare in South Australia, while Queensland local records classify it as least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

For projects in or near suitable habitat, use targeted pre-clearance checks, retain habitat where practicable and obtain advice on any required permits, approvals or species management measures. Escalate any confirmed record to the project ecologist and the relevant state authority.

South Australia: Rare under the state's conservation listing.

Queensland local listing: Least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 in the cited local reports.

  • Treat confirmed records as a design and construction constraint until assessed.
  • Apply stronger avoidance and supervision measures in South Australia because of the Rare listing.
  • Document all sightings, habitat retained, handling actions and post-clearing outcomes.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is a small, day-active skink associated with cracked clay soils. Its ecology is poorly documented, so surveys should combine targeted searches with careful inspection of soil cracks and ground refuges, and should be scaled to the likely impact and conservation listing.

Review records, aerial imagery, soil mapping, vegetation mapping and recent disturbance history before finalising the survey area.

Give particular attention to cracking clay, grassland and other open terrestrial habitats. Treat the absence of records as inconclusive, because local records can be incomplete or out of date.

  • Map all potential habitat within and adjacent to the disturbance footprint.
  • Check whether the site occurs within the mapped range in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland or South Australia.
  • Confirm the current state listing and any permit, approval or reporting requirements before work starts.

Survey methodology: 2. Field detection

Search during daylight when the species is active. Inspect cracked clay soils, soil crevices, grass tussocks, fallen timber, loose bark, rocks and other ground cover that may provide shelter.

Use a combination of quiet visual searches, careful hand searches of suitable cover and targeted inspection of cracks. Lift cover slowly, replace it immediately and avoid collapsing crevices.

  • Walk transects through all suitable habitat in the impact area and in areas proposed for relocation or rehabilitation.
  • Search in warm, suitable conditions, but avoid periods of extreme heat, heavy rain or waterlogged ground when detection and animal welfare may be reduced.
  • Repeat searches where habitat is extensive, records are found, visibility is poor or the proposed disturbance is substantial.
  • Use experienced reptile ecologists or fauna spotter catchers who can distinguish this species from other small striped skinks.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and verification

The Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink has a brown, striped body and an orange or red adult tail. It is a small skink, with adults recorded at about 45 mm snout to vent length.

Photograph animals in situ where possible. Do not retain an animal solely for identification unless this is authorised and necessary.

  • Record the orange tail, body stripes, approximate size, habitat and exact location.
  • Seek expert confirmation for uncertain records, particularly where similar small skinks occur.
  • Use a consistent naming system in field sheets, photographs and databases.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey records and effort

Record enough information to support impact assessment, permit compliance and future monitoring. State clearly when conditions or access limited the search.

There is no established species-specific survey effort or seasonal window. Increase effort when the site contains extensive cracked clay, when a record is made, or when clearing would remove all suitable habitat.

  • Record date, start and finish time, observers, search method, area searched, weather, ground conditions and habitat condition.
  • Record every animal, including its location, life stage if known, behaviour, microhabitat and movement direction.
  • Map crevices, shelter features, breeding evidence and areas that could be retained.
  • Keep photographs and GPS records with the project environmental file.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Plan the work around avoidance first. Confirm the legal pathway early, then use a pre-clearance survey and clearly marked exclusion areas to protect animals, crevices and other potential breeding places.

Assess whether the action requires referral or approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The species is not identified here as having a current national EPBC listing, so obtain project-specific advice rather than assuming that no referral is required.

Check state and territory requirements before survey, capture, handling, relocation or clearing. Use appropriately authorised personnel and keep copies of permits and conditions on site.

  • In Queensland, check the requirements under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and confirm whether the proposed action could tamper with a breeding place.
  • Obtain a Queensland species management program where required for tampering with the breeding place of a protected near threatened animal.
  • Check South Australian requirements for a species listed as Rare, and equivalent requirements in any other jurisdiction where the project occurs.
  • Include permit conditions, approval conditions and reporting contacts in the site environmental management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and site design

Retain suitable cracked clay habitat, natural ground cover and connected areas wherever practicable. Avoid placing stockpiles, access tracks, compounds and drainage works over known records or high-quality crevice habitat.

Use the smallest practicable clearing footprint and keep retained habitat free from unnecessary vehicle traffic and materials storage.

  • Mark no-go areas before mobilisation.
  • Fence or flag exclusion areas around records, shelter features and potential breeding places where directed by the project ecologist or approval.
  • Set buffers using a site-specific risk assessment. Do not apply an invented standard distance where the species and its breeding places are poorly known.
  • Prevent sediment, spoil, chemicals and wash-down water from entering retained crevice habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance survey

Complete a final pre-clearance search immediately before disturbance, after the site has been marked and before machinery enters. Use the same targeted methods as the initial survey, with close inspection of cracks and ground refuges.

Have the fauna spotter catcher and supervising ecologist review the results before releasing the area for clearing.

  • Search the entire disturbance footprint and any temporary work areas.
  • Mark each live animal, active breeding place or other sensitive feature for avoidance or controlled management.
  • Confirm that all workers understand the limits of the approved work area and the stop-work procedure.
  • Repeat the search if clearing is delayed, the footprint changes or conditions alter substantially.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Timing, exclusion and induction

No breeding or migration season has been established for the Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink. Do not assume that a site is free of breeding activity because a particular month has been selected.

Schedule work outside periods of extreme weather where practicable, and use local records or expert advice to refine timing.

  • Inspect for eggs, juveniles, adults using crevices and other breeding evidence before each clearing stage.
  • Install and maintain exclusion fencing where it is needed to prevent animals entering active work areas.
  • Induct all workers in species identification, no-go areas, speed limits, cover handling, stop-work authority and the injured animal pathway.
  • Prohibit unauthorised capture, handling, chasing or collection.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clear in a controlled sequence, with the fauna spotter catcher directing each stage. Work must stop whenever an animal, active breeding place or unexpected habitat feature creates a risk that cannot be managed under the approved method.

Clear vegetation and ground cover in stages so animals have an opportunity to move into retained habitat, while preventing them from being driven into machinery or isolated pockets.

Use low-impact methods around cracks, rocks, timber and other likely refuges. Do not rake, roll or crush cover before it has been checked.

  • Start from the cleared edge and work towards retained habitat where this is safe and consistent with the site method statement.
  • Maintain a fauna spotter catcher in the active work area during clearing of suitable habitat.
  • Pause machinery while the spotter catcher checks ground cover, crevices, spoil and disturbed soil.
  • Keep vehicles and machinery out of exclusion areas.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop-work and animal handling

Give the fauna spotter catcher authority to stop work immediately. Only authorised and suitably experienced people may capture, handle, identify or relocate the species.

Use the least handling necessary. Keep animals shaded, secure and quiet, and release them at the approved nearby location as soon as practicable.

  • Stop work if a Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink is found in the active work area and allow the authorised person to assess it.
  • Do not pick up an animal with bare hands unless the authorised method specifically allows it and welfare can be maintained.
  • Do not relocate an animal across roads, into unsuitable soil, into isolated habitat or outside the approved relocation area.
  • Record the animal before release, including location, condition, habitat and destination.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Breeding places and sensitive finds

Treat eggs, juveniles, repeated use of a crevice, or other evidence of breeding as an active breeding place until the project ecologist or regulator confirms otherwise.

Do not disturb, fill, collapse or remove an active breeding place without the relevant approval and a documented management method.

  • Stop work and establish an exclusion area around the find.
  • Notify the site environmental manager and project ecologist immediately.
  • Contact the relevant regulator if required by the approval, permit or Queensland species management program.
  • Resume work only after the exclusion, timing, supervision and handling requirements have been confirmed in writing.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injury, mortality and records

Treat injured animals as a welfare incident. Avoid unnecessary handling and obtain veterinary or wildlife rehabilitation advice through the project emergency contacts.

Record all finds, captures, releases, injuries and deaths, including animals that could not be identified confidently.

  • Place an injured animal in a secure, ventilated container with suitable shelter and keep it shaded and quiet.
  • Do not provide food, water or medication unless directed by a qualified wildlife carer or veterinarian.
  • Report mortality, injury, unauthorised handling, clearing outside the approved footprint and damage to an active breeding place under the project incident procedure.
  • Stop work and review controls if repeated animals are found in machinery paths or if mortality occurs.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance inspection

Complete a close-out inspection before the area is signed off. Use the results to confirm that animals were managed lawfully, retained habitat remains intact and any incident controls are working.

Inspect the cleared footprint, retained edges, spoil, stockpiles and access routes after each clearing stage. Check cracks, disturbed soil and displaced ground cover for animals or signs of entrapment.

Remove temporary hazards only after the fauna spotter catcher confirms that the area has been checked.

  • Search machinery standing areas, trenches, pits, pipes and other artificial traps before they are left unattended or closed.
  • Check that exclusion fencing remains intact and that animals cannot enter open excavations or drainage structures.
  • Record any animal found after clearing and manage it under the authorised handling procedure.
  • Keep retained crevice habitat free from spoil, rubbish and construction materials.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance close-out

Prepare a concise fauna report for the project manager and relevant approval holder. Include enough detail for the regulator and future site users to understand what happened.

Report within the timeframes set by permits, approvals, the Queensland species management program and the project environmental management plan.

  • Provide maps of the disturbance footprint, retained habitat, exclusion areas, records and relocation sites.
  • Summarise survey effort, numbers observed, animals handled, destinations, injuries, deaths, breeding places and incidents.
  • Attach photographs, GPS data, permits, fauna spotter catcher records and rehabilitation commitments.
  • Update the project species register and environmental constraints map.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated animals and monitoring

Monitor relocated animals where relocation has been approved and the project risk assessment identifies a need. Because movement and habitat requirements are poorly documented, use monitoring to test whether the release site remains suitable rather than assuming relocation has succeeded.

Use the same search methods and record format at release sites and retained habitat.

  • Check for animals, shelter condition, ground disturbance, predators, weeds and new barriers.
  • Investigate repeated absence, mortality or animals returning to the construction area.
  • Adapt fencing, habitat protection and future work methods when monitoring identifies a problem.
  • Keep monitoring records with the project approval file.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review the work method after any injury, mortality, breeding-place disturbance or unexpected concentration of animals. Include the fauna spotter catcher, ecologist, supervisor and contractor in the review.

Turn the findings into changes to induction, sequencing, exclusion, machinery access or supervision before the next work stage.

  • Identify the immediate and underlying cause.
  • Check whether the approved controls were understood, present and effective.
  • Document corrective actions, responsible people and completion dates.
  • Escalate serious or repeated incidents to the approval holder and regulator as required.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Soil and ground-cover restoration

Restore the structure and function of suitable terrestrial habitat rather than relying on artificial features. Focus on cracked clay soils, natural ground cover, shelter and connectivity, and use monitoring to guide follow-up work.

Replace suitable topsoil and retain natural soil profiles wherever practicable. Avoid compaction that prevents natural cracking and crevice formation.

Reinstate grass cover, leaf litter, fallen timber, loose bark and scattered rocks where these features occur naturally on the site.

  • Ripping or decompaction should be designed for the local soil and erosion risk, and should not destroy retained crevices.
  • Keep rehabilitation areas free from construction traffic and material storage until vegetation and ground cover are established.
  • Retain natural refuges rather than removing them for cosmetic site tidiness.
  • Connect rehabilitated areas with retained habitat wherever practicable.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Breeding and shelter features

The species uses cracked clay soils and its breeding-place requirements are not well established. Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nests or roost structures as a default measure, because these features are not known to suit this skink.

Where a project ecologist identifies a genuine shortage of suitable shelter or breeding features, design any replacement feature from local habitat characteristics and obtain approval before installation.

  • Prioritise natural soil cracks and ground refuges over manufactured structures.
  • Do not place artificial features in exposed, waterlogged, contaminated or predator-prone locations.
  • Document the design, location, approval basis and maintenance requirements for any trial feature.
  • Monitor use before expanding the approach to other sites.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Weeds, water and lighting

Control weeds that smother grassland, fill soil cracks or alter ground cover. Use methods that avoid poisoning or burying animals and that comply with the site chemical management plan.

Maintain natural drainage and avoid waterlogging or erosion of cracking clay habitat.

  • Inspect rehabilitation areas for weed invasion after rain and during routine maintenance.
  • Prevent sediment and polluted runoff from entering retained or restored habitat.
  • Do not create permanent water points unless they are part of an approved ecological design and their effects on predators, disease and soil structure have been assessed.
  • Use low, shielded and warm lighting only where lighting is necessary near retained habitat, and switch it off when not required.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Long-term monitoring and maintenance

Monitor rehabilitation for habitat condition and Red-tailed Soil-crevice Skink use, using repeatable daylight searches and the same core observations at each visit.

Set the monitoring period and triggers through the approval, rehabilitation plan and risk assessment. Extend monitoring when habitat establishes slowly or animals continue to be found in work areas.

  • Record soil cracking, vegetation cover, ground refuges, weeds, erosion, barriers and signs of disturbance.
  • Record all skink observations with date, location, habitat and search effort.
  • Repair fencing, drainage, erosion and failed rehabilitation promptly.
  • Use monitoring results to refine weed control, access management, habitat restoration and future clearing methods.

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