Earless Dragon Species Rediscovered

A tiny Victorian grassland earless dragon lizard – a species thought to be extinct – has been sighted for the first time in more than 50 years in the grasslands west of Melbourne, Australia.

According to a joint statement released by the Victorian and federal Labor governments on Sunday, 25 June, the Tympanocryptis Pinguicolla was last seen in 1969, near Geelong city. However, due to habitat degradation and fragmentation as well as invasive predatory species, the reptile’s numbers sharply declined.

The small creature is only around 15 centimetres long and lacks an external ear opening or functional eardrum, hence the colloquial name.

With the latest sighting, the dragon is now listed as critically endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, as well as the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. As such, its exact location is currently being kept secret to aid conservation efforts.

June seems to have been a good month for endangered species, as the Burmese peacock softshell turtle – one of the most endangered freshwater turtle species in the world – was filmed hatching for the first time on the 14th.

The turtle – found exclusively in Myanmar – is identifiable by the orange spots atop its shell, which resemble peacock feathers.

Image Credit: Source