Favoritos de jules_farquhar

Further to my recent posting, I am now of the opinion that I am seeing hatchlings rather than juveniles at this mound, based on a size comparison with those in Pete Constable's video on the Atlas of Life site. There are at least two individuals that I am seeing, based on facial patterns.

These photos were taken at the mound where I have been watching the Lacey hatchlings over the last several days, as posted previously. The Lacey in these photos is an adult that was digging into the mound. There is a belief that a mother Lacey returns to the mound to release the hatchlings, but as the hatchlings have been out for several days already, I am interpreting this sighting today as likely predation.

After some weeks of field observation, consternation, speculation and deliberation - plus great co-operation and spotting from our neighbours - last night we observed and photographed a Lace Monitor laying eggs in a termite mound. The Lacey is ‘Georgia’ who I saw digging an egg chamber in the mound on 21 Dec (see last photo attached). Last night’s pics are 1- you can see Georgia’s face inside the mound; 2- shows her upper body with tail wrapped around (so that is how they deal with that long tail in such a confined space!); 3- just before dark, showing her shoulder area; 4- this morning when I returned she was out and ran up a tree (if Laceys behave the same as Rosenbergs Monitors she may have been guarding against marauders or about to backfill the hole). Now it is up to the termites to repair the hole and create the incubation chamber which will enable the eggs to develop over coming months until hatching takes place c. August.

Remote wildlife camera left at termite mound where eggs were laid two days ago picked up visits by two larger Goannas yesterday and today. No evidence of egg-cannibalisation from images or at the site.

Another visitor to the termite mound (on 1 Jan) where the eggs were laid on 29 Dec. This is not the female who laid them. Still no evidence of egg-cannibalisation or overt disturbance of egg chamber, despite three Goannas visiting since 29 Dec..

The egg chamber dug in a termite mound by female Lacey 'Georgia' recently (as previously posted on this site) has now been repaired by termites, who would have been stimulated also by the recent solid rains.

The egg chamber dug in a termite mound by Lacey 'Georgia' recently (as posted on this site), having been repaired by the termites (pic 2) has been partly opened by a Goanna (pic 1). The new dig does not extend as far as the egg chamber; presumably the eggs are still secure.

The two animals were found side by side, road-killed, on the bitumen road around 4 pm. Both died from having their heads run over - bodies were undamaged. The smaller is the Bell's colour morph. The larger animal has a snout-vent of approx 50 cm. Tragic.

I haven't confirmed markings, but I believe these two have been following each other around since at least New Years. This time they came together - the Bell's phase moving up the hill and the regular coming across the rocks. Seems like they initially puff their throats out and that gives some kind of indication about who is the boss. I think only the Bells used its tongue from memory, so I don't know what that means - checking if it was the winner? Eventually only the regular having its throat still puffed and then chased the other one down the hill.

This female was very lethargic and allowed for an easy approach and even handling. She didn't appear "quite right" but nothing obvious to indicate what if anything was ailing her. Scan of colour transparency

Initially observed on Whyenbah Road being harassed by this Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) the monitor quickly climbed up this nearby tree where an joining branch housed the magpie-Lark's nest. This image captures the ongoing harassment being meted out by the magpie-lark and the monitor's response.
Large male likely measuring between 1700mm and 1,800mm.

This "Bell's phase lace monitor was observed from a bird hide where a man-made watering point has been constructed. This animal was oblivious to our presence and so very relaxed.
An immature animal less than 1 metre in length, hence the outstanding colours in this distinctively patterned individual.