Ctenophorus ibiri
—
Eyre Peninsula Mallee Dragon
Ctenophorus ibiri was split from Ctenophorus fordi in 2023. This species and others described at the same time were given indigenous names; "ibiri" means "small lizard" in the Barngarla language.
I spent a half hour or so wandering about in the sandy mallee scrub of Hincks Conservation Park to see if I could scare up any lizards or snakes. The first fifteen minutes were uneventful, but then I spotted a small light gray lizard shape racing into a bush. I could not find that one again, but soon I saw three or four more. If I was too close, they would race far away and disappear. But if I saw them move while I was still pretty far away, I could then sneak up and get a photo or two before they would race off again.
Printed references:
- Cogger, H. G. 2014. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition
- Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2017. A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fifth Edition