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Reptiles of Sydney Harbour

Geckos, Family Gekkonidae and Snake Lizards, Family Pygopodidae


The geckos (three species) and snake lizards (two species) are two very different but related groups of lizards. Snake lizards, as the name suggests, are very elongate and legless lizards that resemble a snake in appearance. Geckos all have well-developed limbs and digits. The Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Phyllurus platurus, is the most commonly seen species. It still occurs in remnant bushlands and nearby gardens in sandstone areas around the harbour. The other gecko species and the snake lizards now have a more restricted distribution in the area and most likely only occur in larger reserves.

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Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko






Burton's Legless Lizard, Lialis burtonis. Photo: G Swan.









Common Scaly-foot, Pygopus lepidopodus. Photo: G Swan.