Saturday, 12 November 2016

Mountain Dragons ( Rankinia diemensis )

The Mountain Dragons in this video were filmed in my backyard a couple of weeks ago.  Over the years we have created lots of rocky areas in the yard which has greatly increased the lizard population.



Of Tasmania's 17 lizard species this is the only one which is not a skink. It belongs to the family Agamidae and it has the most southerly distribution of all the lizards in this family.

You can get quite close to a Mountain Dragon if you move slowly. If they run they will only go a short distance and then stop again, hoping that you can't see them. It works too as sometimes you can't see them because they blend in so well among leaves and sticks.

They are found in the north and east of Tasmania, in dry forest and heathland as these areas are more open to the sun. Their diet consists of ants and other small invertebrates. They can grow to around 20cm (about 8") including their tail.


I hope you enjoy the video.


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15 comments:

  1. eileeninmdNovember 12, 2016

    Hello, great video. The Dragon lizard is beautiful. I love all the critters. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 12, 2016

      Thank you Eileen. They are one of my favourites.

      Delete
  2. Jenn JilksNovember 13, 2016

    Handsome devil!!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 15, 2016

      Thanks Jenn Jilks. Yes they're a good looking lizard.

      Delete
  3. IrmaNovember 13, 2016

    Wonderful video,
    I love everything there is to see.
    Best regards, Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 15, 2016

      Thank you Irma for visiting and commenting.

      Delete
  4. RajeshNovember 13, 2016

    Great video of the mountain dragons.

    ReplyDelete
  5. GouldiaeNovember 13, 2016

    Oh how I wish I had them in my back yard.
    PW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 15, 2016

      Thanks Gouldiae. They're great lizards but I reckon you'd have a much better variety up your way than we do. This is our only non skink :-)

      Delete
  6. Stewart MNovember 13, 2016

    We do live in the land of lizards. Had a close encounter with a blue tongue today. Its must be spring!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 15, 2016

      Thanks Stewart. Yes the blue-tongues are everywhere at the moment. Hope to post a video soon.

      Delete
  7. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©November 14, 2016

    Nice video!

    I learned that trick when I was little: to catch a fast lizard, move very slow.
    ~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly.NatureNovember 15, 2016

      Thanks ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© . Glad you enjoyed the video.

      Delete
  8. Mary Howell CromerNovember 18, 2016

    Oh I have never heard of the Mountain Dragon before and how cool it is, thanks for sharing the video clip~

    ReplyDelete

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