SPECIES: Delma torquata — Collared Delma
CLASSIFICATION: Vulnerable
A legless lizard that could easily be mistaken for a snake, the Collared Delma is a master of disguise. This small, secretive reptile is found in fragmented pockets of Queensland’s open woodlands and rocky outcrops, where it shelters under leaf litter and rocks, emerging to hunt insects with lightning-fast strikes. Unlike snakes, it has external ear openings and a fleshy tongue, key features that set it apart.
The Collared Delma faces growing threats from habitat destruction, invasive species, and bushfires. Urban expansion and land clearing continue to shrink its range, while feral predators like cats and foxes add further pressure.
Photo: DCCEEW, Steve Wilson