broad-headed

It is either the common five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus) or the broad-headed skink (Eumeces laticeps).

Archive 2009-06-01 AYDIN 2009

Anyway, after I went back to bed I had another dream (two remembered dreams in one week!), this one involving a remarkably inept King in Yellow attempting to force his way through a revolving door to get to me, accompanied by a couple of broad-headed robot Tindalosi, while I hid in a sealed and stained and Goffick corridor on a derelict space station.

This may bode ill for my shower..... ashacat 2008

Sandstone outcrop in Morton National Park, Australia, home to the largest remaining population of broad-headed snakes.

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009

The animal in question is Australia's most endangered serpent, the broad-headed snake, pictured below.

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009

It is either the common five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus) or the broad-headed skink (Eumeces laticeps).

Probably a five-lined skink... AYDIN 2009

Saving the broad-headed snake would be wonderful; it's a handsome little reptile, after all.

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009

So should we just let the forest grow and wash our hands of the broad-headed snake?

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009

If the only goal is to ensure the survival of the broad-headed snake, then the answer is obvious: foresters need to head down to a few of the National Parks with either lighters or chainsaws and carefully start burning or lopping down some of the cover.

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009

The endemic broad-headed snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides (VU) is largely restricted to the Hawkesbury sandstone; the Blue Mountains water skink Eulamprus leuraensis (EN) is a rare endemic.

Greater Blue Mountains Area, Australia 2009

If the bush-encroachment argument is correct, then it means that many species adapted to relatively open conditions -- like the broad-headed snake -- have probably been losing habitat even in the most strictly protected national parks.

Todd Palmer and Rob Pringle: Slash And Burn To Save Endangered Species? 2009