2014 Brought to You by the Australian Herpetological Society

2014 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE AUSTRALIAN HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 1 2/12/14 5:55 PM The Australian Herpetological Society

http://www.ahs.org.au/

The Australian Herpetological Society meets on the fourth Wednesday (subject to venue availability, please check our calendar) of every month, except December, at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, Mitchell Theatre, 280 Pitt St Sydney NSW. Entry is via Pitt St, take the elevator to level 1. Doors open from 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Tea and coffee are available

President: Chris Williams Vice Presidents: Andrew Melrose & Matthew McCloskey Treasurer: Sharleen Knox

Secretary: Anthony Tonks Librarian: Glenn Shea Membership: Sharleen Knox Web Co-ordinator: Michael Duncan General Committee Members: Phil Topham Brett Aitchison Rob Burns

Field Trip Co-ordinator (Sydney and Sur- Bob King rounds): Field Trip Co-ordinator (Sydney Olympic Matthew McCloskey Park):

Front Cover: Winner of AHS Photo Competition – Burtons legless lizard by Sharleen Knox

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 2 2/12/14 5:09 PM CONTENTS

President’s Report ... 4

2015: Speakers and Topics ... 5

Romulus Whitaker - Once in a Lifetime by Chris Williams ... 6

Poets Corner – “Of Scale and Rock” by George Madani ... 8

Blue Mountains Ophiology by Pete Darwood ... 8

Wild Borneo – Herping Adventures 2014 by Phil Topham ...10

Hal Cogger- A legend of Australian herpetology by Chris Williams ... 15

Simpson Desert by David Nelson ... 16

AHS Photographic Competition ... 18

Visiting Currawinya National Park by Rob Burns ... 20

Fun in the Field ... 21

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 3 2/12/14 5:09 PM PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome to the second edition of I’m pleased to announce that our the AHS’s official newsletter, The speaker line up for 2015 has already Red Bellied Courier. This edition been confirmed, and it’s one of has been printed to coincide the best, most wide ranging I can with our December meeting, and ever remember. I’m pleased, and our very special guest Romulus excited to be able to announce that Whitaker. We are thrilled that Dr David Williams will be again Rom was able to make the trip, for returning to the society. David was what no doubt will be a fantastic flown in to speak back in 2012, night. At the time of going to print, and many who attended the talk, tickets were selling fast, and it’s myself included, thought it was looking like being a sell-out. With the best presentation they had ever the support of the hobby, we would seen. Based in PNG and doing love to be able to host this type of some ground-breaking research on event on a regular basis. snakebite this talk will get us up to date on his work, and the results of Our AGM in May saw the the clinical trials due to finish in incoming committee take over June. their respective positions, and we fare welled what was an active and As you’ll see in the following pages, committed outgoing committee. our field trip coordinator Bob King, Particular thanks must go to my has arranged some great outings predecessor Michael Duncan, who recently, with plenty more planned. after 5 years as president decided There’s no better way to meet, or that it was time to take a step back. get to know other members a little We’re grateful for all he’s done over better, than by spending a day in those years, and are equally pleased the field. Try and make it along. that he has decided to remain on They are always great fun. the committee and coordinate Lastly publications like this the production of this magazine only work if you, the members amongst other duties. contribute. We’d love to see more of you add content to our next issue. It’s been 21 years since I last held the position of AHS President, Happy reading and hope to see all and it’s heart-warming to see both of you soon. our hobby, and the society have flourished over the ensuing years. Best wishes, I’m thrilled to be stepping in again at a time when the society has been well run and continues to attract good crowds and a brilliant Chris Williams speaker line up.

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 4 2/12/14 5:09 PM 2015 SPEAKER LINE UP

28th of January: Herpetological 24th of June: Synchronous 23rd of September: Topic TBA Quiz Night hatching in freshwater turtles and John McGrath, editor at large for Dr Glenn Shea - Often referred to as the influence of thyroid hormones. the Scales and Tails magazine, will the Eddy McGuire of Herpetology, Soon-to-be-Dr, Jess McGlashen be flying up to make his debut at Glenn will be hosting one of his will be filling us in on the work the AHS. Always entertaining we popular quiz’s. Randomly chosen involved in her Phd project. The are sure John’s knowledge and wit teams of 4 will be fighting it out for 4 year study has produced some will ensure he’s a regular from here. some great prizes. fascinating results. 28th of October: Quiz Night 25th of February: 2014 Field Trip 22nd of July: The Blue Tongue Our Quiz Master is returning for recap Lizard a fun filled night with plenty of Bob King, Jason Luke and several Joe Ball from www.blutonguelizard. prizes. This time round you pick other AHS members will be getting com.au will be giving two talks your teammates for the chance us up to date on all the field trip on the night Myth busting Blue to win some HUGE prizes… outings over the Summer months Tongue Husbandry & then The everyone’s and expert behind a Blue Tongue...... ‘Australia’s Ball computer, but it’s time to find out 25th of March: Frogs P y t h o n’. who the real experts are!! Marion Anstis, author of the magnificent Tadpoles and Frogs 26th of August: Snakes, 25th of November: of Australia will be joining us to Snakebites, and Treatment in PNG Ben Dessen a star of “Rise of the discuss all things frogs. David Williams is a herpetologist Eco-Warriors” will be speaking on and clinical toxinologist, currently his Borneo experience. 22nd of April: Herpetological working in Papua New Guinea Highlights of a Globe Trotter to improve the treatment of Dr David Kirshner spent much of snakebites. He is based at the last year travelling through places School of Medicine & Health like North America and Africa. Sciences at the University of Papua Always entertaining Dave will no New Guinea. His previous talk doubt have us enthralled. at the AHS was one of the most popular ever. This is one not to 27th of May: Annual General miss! Meeting A fun night where we try and rope you into getting off your backsides and get involved in the society. We also have an auction on the night, where some great herpetological items are sold at bargain prices!

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 5 2/12/14 5:09 PM Romulus Whitaker ONCE IN A LIFETIME

Starting with only 12 specimens, release captive-reared animals for Rom and his colleagues amassed 30 years. The plight of the Gharial close to 3,000 crocodilians, remains grim and their numbers representing an incredible 18 decreased to around 200 breeding different species. As the world’s adults in four rivers in India largest international research base and Nepal. The species has been and gene bank for crocodilians, the declared extinct in Bangladesh ‘Croc Bank’ expanded its activities and Bhutan. In 2007 Rom and to include field stations that colleagues reassessed the Gharial’s promote cutting-edge research, status to be ‘critically endangered’ continue its ground-breaking using the IUCN’s Red List criteria; conservation and species recovery it is now just one small step away activities, and educate people from extinction in the wild. Last year the society decided to sharing habitats with them. Despite a career littered with major put on something special for its Today the Croc Bank is one achievements, particularly in the members and guests. The plan of India’s most popular tourist field of conservation, to many was to write up a ‘hit list’, the best attractions. Ticket sales fund the people Rom is most famous for his international herpetologists, and maintenance of the zoo, and also documentaries and his work with try and bring one over for a one help to support the operation of King Cobras. off talk. We’d keep working down the three full-scale research and The King Cobra is the world’s the list until we had a booking. conservation field stations plus longest venomous snake, growing Romulus Whitaker was #1 on that numerous other research projects. to a length of 18 feet. The species list, and with the help of Rom’s Now in it’s 40th year, the Croc Bank is threatened by habitat loss, with longtime friend and AHS member is one of the largest reptile zoos in over 80% of its rainforest habitat Eddy Mills we were fortunate the world, and one of the oldest already having been destroyed. enough to have him agree to head environmental organizations in Matt Goode, a herpetologist down under in December. Asia, with a formidable track from the University of Arizona, Rom’s based in Tamil Nadu in record in frontline conservation. joined Rom in studying them. southern India however was born It remains an important breeding With a decade of snake telemetry in the U.S.A, migrating to India as center for the endangered Gharial a boy. After finishing high school which Rom will be discussing he returned to the U.S. and trained at his presentation on the 12th with the legendry Bill Haast from of December. They are truly one the Miami Serpentarium. In 1967, of the world’s most magnificent Rom returned home to India and creatures, attaining a maximum opened the Madras Snake Park length in excess of 20 feet or six in 1972. The venture was a huge metres. Sadly, in the early 1970s, success, and within a year had over the species was on the edge of a million visitors. extinction. The Indian government Around this time Rom was also eventually created a national responsible for India’s first surveys conservation program, and six of crocodilians, which highlighted river sanctuaries were established the dire predicament of all three for them. endemic species. He founded the One of Rom’s team supervised the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust collection and hatching of over and Centre for Herpetology in a 5,000 Gharial eggs, though after desperate effort to save dwindling the initial burst of enthusiasm the crocodilian populations. government did little more than Madras Snake Park 1970 6

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 6 2/12/14 5:09 PM Rom with a Chameleon in the backyard Rom meeting Sir David Attenborough 2010 London 2005

there are an incredible 46,000 snakebite Teaching kids about snakes, deaths per year in the country. Agumbe Rainforest Research Station

work under his belt, Matt was the his peer group, and he believes vials of antivenom used to treat ideal candidate. The first one he them to be unrivalled when it snakebite in India each year. The tracked was a twelve-foot male comes to handling snakes. In latest estimate from the Registrar who travelled an amazing 100 1975, hundreds of Irula families General of India’s ‘Million Death kilometres during the first few were rendered jobless with the Study’ show’s that months. Rom and Matt concluded closure of the snakeskin industry that capture and translocation of which nearly drove several species Rom himself has survived several snakes (the standard approach to to extinction. While this was a venomous bites in the course of dealing with ‘nuisance’ snakes that landmark conservation initiative, his work, and for someone so wander into people’s houses or for the Irula people it spelled passionate about snakes, it is ironic gardens) can be extremely harmful disaster. and unfortunate that he is allergic to the reptiles, as they tend to Feeling somewhat responsible for to antivenom. return home, crossing roads and the Irula people, together they Rom is also responsible for over encountering other dangerous hatched an idea that has proved 200 scientific papers and launched situations en route. Over 120 adult enormously successful. Using India’s first herpetological journal, King Cobras were removed from venom extraction knowledge Hamadryad, which is now in its homes and 15 King Cobra nests and technology gleaned from Bill 37th year of publication. He has were found and monitored during Haast, Rom set up the Irula Snake also written over 250 popular the study period. Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative articles and eight books on reptiles, In 1934, Malcolm Smith wrote in Society, which was turned over to and his production company has the ‘Fauna of British India’ that the tribal community in 1978. produced dozens of the best herp- astonishing 5,250,000 reptile skins Snakes are caught by the Irulas, related documentaries of all time. were exported from India in 1932 milked and then, after a month, Rom lives with his partner, Janaki, and 1933. Virtually nothing was released back to the wild. The at their farm, Karadi Malai Camp, done to stem the trade in skins cooperative is the only organization which is located next to a forest for the next forty years. In the late allowed to make legal use of in southeast India, along with five 1960s, snakeskin exports peaked at wild animals in India, thereby dogs, a wild pig and - of all things an estimated 10 million skins per benefitting one of its poorest - an emu! year. That is when Rom became communities. The work has saved We hope that all our members involved in the movement to halt the lives of tens of thousands of will be able to attend Rom’s talk in India’s unsustainable snakeskin humans….and snakes. December. industry, which ceased in 1975 This organisation now supplies Rom has long considered the most of the venom needed to Chris Williams Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu to be make the more than two million 7

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 7 2/12/14 5:09 PM Blue Mountains Ophiology

“Do you not mean you would March, I had found two more like to find?” said my wife in a including the notoriously striking genuinely questioning manner. and endangered Broad-headed “No,” I replied, somewhat snake. April, although cooling

Cunningham’s skink photo by Alexander Dudley Alexander by photo skink Cunningham’s annoyed that she did not down significantly, means that understand the importance of some species are out basking for the task at hand, “I need to find”. longer and hence I was pleasantly Poetry Corner Such is the conversation a person surprised to add Yellow-faced with a mild obsession may have whips and Highlands copperheads with their partner. In this case to the list. Analysis of various “Of scale and rock” the challenge was the observing books and online records revealed By George Madani and photographing of every snake I should be targeting 18 species, so species in the Blue Mountains. with two thirds complete in three Basking over the dominion of Granted there are other things months there was nothing to stop their granite kingdoms, in life, and the Blue Mountains, me. Scaly kings of rock and log. other than snakes, well there However, as anyone with interests are of course dragons, monitors in Herpetology is aware, Winter Every outcrop a fiefdom to the and even skinks and frogs for is the suicide season with little resident clan. example, but the former are my to offer the casual observer. I Bronzed brown and dark they seek passion. Quite why or where this was informed early on during shelter in their homes. passion germinated is beyond the Winter that it was a case of Scurrying and disappearing into me, but clearly Australia is where either heading North or overseas! crevice and hollow, it has flourished. Hence, when I did neither and suffered the From death on wings and silent returning to the Blue Mountains depressional period by maximising footsteps in the grass. after a 14 year hiatus, it seemed my time outdoors instead. This only natural to investigate all of proved rewarding, and although Keeled and rigid, their armour the local Serpentes. no new species where “ticked”, I did hard. Starting in February 2013, I had manage regular enough sightings To lock their bodies into their already clocked off eight species to stay sane. Winter did however refuge of stone. by the end of the month, including bring other distractions, one of Away from prying claws and the stunning little Mustard- these being in the very nice form of hungry teeth. bellied snake, and thus naturally a new camera. The learning curve thought that the challenge was an on the new toy with all its manual Ever vigilant they survey their innocuous one. This was further controls was steep, but by taking world from their posts. reinforced, when by the end of pictures of everything that moved, Sun radiant sentinels looking out from their stony battlements over field and plain. To dine and crunch on beetle and bug. Generations sharing their island boulder, kin and blood bound to rock. A brave soul to quest alone to find another rock to call home. Shining and glistening in the warmth and glory of the sun, The noble Cunningham’s skink reigns supreme. Demansia psammophis – Yellow faced whip snake 8

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 8 2/12/14 5:09 PM Acanthophis antarcticus – Death adder Drysdalia coronoides – White lipped sn Parasuta dwyeri – Dwyer’s snake

as well as everything that did not, a single night Brown tree snake the White-lipped snake and the I was soon producing photographs bonanza, the horizon was finally Dwyer’s snake. Discussion with that were vastly superior to those in sight. Well the original horizon several other old timers revealed of the previous toy. that is, one without knowledge of the sort of conditions that I should Unfortunately, this quickly lead a species called Parasuta dwyeri. be hunting for the White-lip under to the realisation that many of my However, the tiny little White- and sure enough a week later in previous photographic records lipped snake was still proving to be overcast and cool conditions a pair where insufficient and needed to a particularly elusive specimen and turned up. be revised. so all thought of additional species Now with the pressure well and Spring is where life is said to begin. was banished. Unfortunately, or truly on Dwyeri, the remainder This is most definitely true in the otherwise, once a notion has been of February and March was spent herpetological world where all planted in the conscious mind searching high and low, including things snake like, and their prey, of the mildly obsessional it starts some long drives well out of the come out in numbers. Eastern to germinate. In this case, what region. These in themselves browns, Marshes and Tigers were exactly defines the Blue Mountains proved extremely successful in that added to the list and many of the or the greater Blue Mountains? red Mulgas, beautiful De Vis’ and previously observed species were Should I not be considering a more some interesting colour variations re-photographed. With only three geographically or even geologically on Spotted black snakes were species remaining it was clear that defined region? observed. However, no such joy by Christmas I would be relaxing. More consultation with the with Dwyeri, where every second However, the troublesome trio interweb revealed that the snake on the road would turn included Brown tree snakes and Sydney Basin was perhaps a more out to be the similar looking Curl White-lipped snakes, both of suitable region as this had a sound snake. Finally, on the fools day at which are relatively uncommon geological definition in that it is a the start of April I returned to a in the Blue Mountains. If that was basin consisting of Permian and spot much closer to home and after not enough, due to the rapidly Triassic sedimentary rocks. The persistently looking for several approaching full list of ticks, scope downside of this apparently more hours I was rewarded. I had done creep was maliciously suggested by apt definition is that, according to it; that was the list fully “ticked”. one of my herping friends. “There Griffiths, the number of species I did not need to see any other are records of Dwyeri being found suddenly increased by four. snakes; the rest I could look for at in the greater Blue Mountains you Fortunately, February brought a my leisure! “Well at least that is the know!”. Whilst I pretended not welcome relief in a trip up North end of that mid-life crisis” observed to hear the initial statement, and for a friends 40th birthday. Many my wife, some-what relieved by specifically its inclusion of the new species were observed and the occurrence of the last species. word “greater”, I rushed away to photographed, although it was “There are some others I would find out what the mythical serpent apparent that we only scratched the like to see” I retorted, which drew looked like and where it was to be surface and there were many more a questioning frown. found. there to find. However, the end December finally revealed a pair of result was that after the trip, with beautifully coloured Death adders, the newly extended goal I still had one grey and one red, and with only two species to find, once again Pete Darwood

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 9 2/12/14 5:09 PM WILD BORNEO Herping Adventures 2014 Borneo!!! A naturalist’s dream. and felt at home in Kubah National Gonocephalus species, which was A place that I have wanted to Park, in a house surrounded by fun to joke about later in claiming explore my whole life. Having a mountains of rainforest. that we caught Gonocephalus in huge passion for rainforests and Who couldn’t have guessed how Asia. We also found many frog herpetofauna, when the day came amazing this place would be in species including, the amazingly after one Australian Herpetological just two nights here. On the first coloured cinnamon frog, and the Society meeting when Jason Luke night we headed out, the group best frog in the UNIVERSE, the asked me if I’d like to come to stumbled across a gargantuan retic Borneon Horned Frog that looks Borneo with him and others from (reticulated python), sitting in the like a devil-possessed frog. the society, “hell yeah”, was the middle of the track with something Next stop on our trip was Bako obvious response. huge digesting in its guts. National Park. After a hairy van After easily a year of planning, it felt Because I wasn’t there at the time, ride watching the front van speed incredible to finally touch down at the joke was, “where’s Phil? Has he into oncoming traffic and hearing Kuching with my fellow travellers been eaten by the retic?” In fact Tonk’s comments over the 2-way, and now good friends; Jason Luke, two themes became very common “that was close”, made me cherish Bob King, Mick Austin, Rebecca during the whole trip , both every time a car trip ended. We Macmillan, Sharleen and Maddy “where’s Phil” and the elevator then had a nice boat ride past Knox, Rudi and Nick Weigner, song, ‘the Girl from Ipanema’, that some villages and were dropped Karen Stephenson, Anthony Tonks got stuck in our heads from off the shore line, just off the Tonks. Later in the trip, we would day one that lasted the whole trip. beach from our accommodation be joined by Liz Loane and Mark That night they also found a Slow at Bako NP. Bako was a pristine and Michelle Noga. Loris and “eagle eyes” Jason spotted looking beach with Silver Leaf and After hiking around the hot and a tiny, about 15cm long red-headed Proboscis Monkeys in the trees humid town with kilos of luggage, reed snake. I went out later that on the shoreline with a backdrop obviously looking like tourists as night and photographed frogs, and of rainforest covered mountains. everyone stared at us, we finally whilst doing so stepped backwards That peace was abruptly broken found and received our park accidentally on a Sumatran the next morning when the Leaf permits, bought a heap of rice and Spitting Cobra sliding behind me. Monkeys left for good and along tinned food for our next couple I have never jumped off something came the Long-tailed Macaques. of nights at Kubah, and set off in so quickly when I heard the very Over the next few days they broke our 2 taxied vans. After initially distinguishable Cobra huff!! into the girls room, stole a soft feeling out of place in town with The rest of the time at Kubah drink off Maddy and terrorised the different foods, bathrooms and was spent finding manypeople who weren’t wise enough way of life, we quickly settled in Borneon dragon species, mostly to eat indoors. To be honest, it was

Python reticulatus – Reticulated python Megophrys nasuta – Bornean horned frog

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 10 2/12/14 5:09 PM Tropidolaemus subannulatus Bornean keeled viper

actually hilarious to watch. At one Mulu National Park. Easily one up and we hiked up creeks to a stage it also took four of us guys to of our favourite places, with beautiful lunch spot at a waterfall all chase one away from our room excellent accommodation and and swimming hole. After a huge together after it attempted to steal food, and the whole place being day, it was great to be able to stuff off us and bear its teeth. “Geez surrounded by seemingly endless relax at dinner with great food we felt manly, four men against a forest. We decided to call Mulu the surrounded by the sounds of the little monkey, hahahaha”. invertebrate capital as everywhere Rough-sided frogs that we decided Around our quarters we were we looked we saw invertebrates, to call the ‘What What’ frogs due surrounded by wildlife. A Kolugo many of which made the frogs and to their ‘What’ sound, or the sound out the back and Borneon Keeled reptiles look small. From giant of Mulu as we decided as it’s a very Pit Vipers and Bronzebacks out the katydids, spiders to scorpions. stereotypical sound at this place. front. This national park, with the many Over the next few days we all broke Not to mention the Proboscis Limestone mountains covered by off into groups and saw many monkeys banging on the roofs in rainforest was a wildlife hotspot. more wonderful species including; the morning. In the surrounding Where else can you sit on a deck kingfishers, trogons, an Oriental bush those nights we found and watch squirrels frolicking, Bay Owl, woodpeckers, Blunt- various critters, including a Three- dragons run past and the occasional headed tree Snakes, Slender-tailed lined Bridled Snake, another reed snake slither by whilst sipping your Wolf snake, more Keeled Scaled snake species, a black Dog-toothed drinks and birdwatching? vipers, Kuhkri snake, tarsiers, Cat Snake, a red-sided Keelback Mulu was also the activity central horned frogs, Banded Linsang, and jungle Cat species. These were for us. We herped every night and Yellow throated Martin and the definitely fun night walks with participated in booked activities list could just keep going. One last an element of surprise, trying to during the day. My favourite joy to mention about Mulu that it’s dodge the nocturnal wasps flying activity was easily our Deer Cave famous for and that Attenborough at our headtorches, and also the Trek. This incorporated walking/ has filmed, was watching the bat fun of creeping off at night as the climbing through one of the largest swarms leave the cave in lines staff say it’s dangerous and don’t single cave systems in the world, that lasted for many minutes with venture off after dark. whilst having bats roost above hundreds of thousands of bats. It Our next stop after exploring you and walking through tonnes was just incredible to watch, whilst the streets and foods of Kuching, of guano. Even more incredible listening to horned frogs calling whilst Jason and Mick went was to pass through to the Garden that we were going to find later that wrangling more Cobras, was of Eden, where the cave opened night.

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 11 2/12/14 5:09 PM Ahaetulla prasina – Vine snake Trimeresurus sumatranus – Sumatran pit viper

After we left Mulu, (believe me Even on the days that we didn’t in the huge trees. Ear piercing that’s hard to do), we set off to find as much it was still funny to cicadas were also common here, Utan Paradise Jungle Camp in the watch us all act like kids in a candy but unlike Australian ones that Crocker Ranges. Here we were store as that’s what Borneo is like make a buzz sound, the Borneon greeted by an incredibly friendly and for any wildlife enthusiast. It was species scream at you. During well respected man and village elder hilarious to watch Mick and Maddy the nights we walked some of by the name of Inus. He was really take advantage of some rain and the local tracks and saw bearded happy for us to herp, but also wanted constantly run into trees near one pigs, a giant dinner plate-sized to come along and learn about it too another to drench each other. tarantula, and a triple amplexus and show us the tracks. He is very Our next stop was the famous of Wallace’s Flying Frogs, which knowledgeable about the area and Danum Valley Field Centre where is an amazing frog with extensive showed us some of his ways of life/ we were joined by Mark and webbing on its feet allowing it to survival skills in the jungle. He also Michelle Noga. The flight over glide between trees. Some of the had a cool enclosure to show us was funny as we flew past Mount snakes we found were keelback where he kept some cool Green eyed Kinabalu and saw what we were species, Brown Wolf Snake, and Gecko’s, a large species similar in going to walk up later in the trip and an interesting experience trying to size to Tokay’s and New Caledonian that although high up in a plane, we get to a white nosed water snake Giants. He treated us very well and were only just level with the top. to photograph that was halfway cooked us amazing meals. During Danum Valley was a good 2.5 hour down a waterfall. A highlight here our walks here, we found a beautiful drive through rainforest and you was a baby Retic that Tonks found, Vine Snake and a Hole-in-the-head really felt like you were secluded in who was definitely happy to have Frog. Jason, Tonks and I went for a the middle of the jungle here, far found it because apart from being long, steep walk one afternoon and away from everything else in life. an awesome find, I now owed him thankfully found some rockskipper Here we knew there were Elephants two-hundred ringgit as I’d put frogs for our efforts. Despite the as their dung was everywhere. At money down for whoever found several frog species found and the one stage some of us heard some the next retic. Much to everyone’s birdwatching platform from which from the road, but we were hardly amusement I lost all sense of self Bob and Nick were able to site quite a going to bash through the forest control and was absolutely ecstatic few excellent species from, I must say after them to get onto the front to finally see one, jumping up and though that for me, one of the best page of a newspaper for the wrong down yelling in excitement. finds of the trip here was when Mick reason. Danum was true, thick, We had many great mornings at found a Sumatran Pit Viper. The ancient rainforest. As you walked Danum too. On one of them, an sheer beauty of this species blew me through you could hear gibbons Orangutan was hanging around away. As I like to say, Mick “rocked calling and could see their playful, outside of our rooms. A rare pleasure my world” with this incredible find. acrobatic and death defying antics to experience and also be able to

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 12 2/12/14 5:09 PM get so close. On another morning feasting we were surrounded by where Jason’s partner Liz joined us I awoke to everyone smiling at me Asian Water Monitors, Bearded for the remainder of the trip. as I had sleep walked around the Pigs and squirrels. Our night boat Lupa Masa was a forty-five minute dorm the night before frantically trips were definitely a highlight, jungle walk in from the town of searching for an imaginary cobra with a few Retics being found and Poring Hot Springs. Arriving that I believed was in the room. This also a few Mangrove Cat Snakes. night, after a long day of travelling episode at first fooled some others The fun part was trying to get to and death defying driving, we into helping me search for it until these guys to photograph them. started our walk immediately. At they realised I was just having a Much to the guides and everyone the very start of the walk, Jason crazy sleepwalking dream moment. else’s amusement we managed to spotted another Sumatran Cobra After leaving the thick rainforest catch one by me having to balance and grabbed it, but we decided of Danum, we headed to Sepilok on Mick’s shoulders to reach it. that after seeing a few already, we for a night of R&R. After our A funny and awkward moment just left it be. Before arriving at recovery night, we set off to the for us both. Just before leaving the camp we also spotted another Kinabatangan Jungle Camp on the this amazing place and having Keeled Scaled Viper and a Red- Kinabatangan River. This 2 hour our group photos with all of the bellied Keelback. journey took us through kilometres staff and backpackers we had Facilities here were very basic, like upon kilometres of seemingly befriended, I heard Rudi shouting true camping, but again it was a great endless palm oil plantations, a sad out Cobra! A Sumatran Cobra experience in the thick of the jungle. sight to see how much destruction decided to slither through the On one night alone here we saw of rainforest there is. middle of the campgrounds. I was eleven snake species including; 2 Red The Kinabatangan was incredible. lucky enough to catch this one (not Headed Kraits, 2 Sunbeam snakes, a It’s a river with a wildlife corridor step on it), and as a group we got Leaf Nosed Viper, Sumatran Pitviper, either side of it. The people that some awesome photos. It’s a good Mock Viper, Dark-headed Cat Snake, ran the camp treated us with thing I brought multiple glasses and one gigantic Dog-toothed Cat comfortable accommodation along for myself and Mick to both snake with a big attitude. This place and the best food we had eaten wear them. They were well utilised seemed to be teeming with wildlife, the whole trip. During the day as the cobra spat over us both. including another incredible little we saw plentiful bird species, like Now destined for our finalTarsier. We all ended up leaving the red and black Broadbill, a few destination before our mountain Lupa Masa on a high, realising that hornbill and kingfisher species, climb, we bid farewell to Mark and although most of us call Mulu our Crested Serpent Eagles and the Michelle and headed to Lupa Masa favourite wildlife spot, Lupa was endangered Storms Stalk. Whilst near the bottom of Mount Kinabalu definitely ‘Snake Heaven’.

Boiga dendrophila – Mangrove cat snake Naja sumatrana – Spitting Cobra

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 13 2/12/14 5:09 PM On top of Mt Kinabalu

mountain was incredible as we from South-east Asia’s highest saw huge amounts of mist engulf point. Another true highlight the track ahead and then re-open and achievement in my life and with sunshine at times as well. It everyone else’s in our group. Now was brilliant to be able to watch the the next fun part was the second rainforest change to alpine plants breakfast, followed by an eight and with moss covering everything and a half kilometre walk downhill. the occasional pitcher plant. We all After our long, exhausting, and truly reached our accommodation for amazing and unforgettable walk the night between 4pm and 6pm. It and holiday, we arrived back and was a bit over the 3000 metre mark rested up for our last night at the in altitude. So we only had 2.5km in Le Meridien in Kota Kinabalu, and distance and around 1000 metres dined at the famous fish markets Bungarus flaviceps – Red headed krait elevation to climb the next morning. that night, reminiscing over the How hard could it be right?? marvels of our huge adventure, and Well, getting up at 1 am and walking now feeling like the best of friends. Having our herping part of our by 2am, that’s got to be a giveaway I never would have thought this expedition over, we set off to that to be up there to watch the five week journey was going to be conquer Mount Kinabalu. At sunrise, you need to allow a few as amazing as it was, but it was 4095 metres it’s not just a walk in hours, which is a bit harder than it all made possible thanks to Jason the park. But it is an experience looks. You start the walk in a long, Luke, who I cannot thank enough. I encourage most reasonably fit slow queue of people wanting to In the end, we found around sixty people to give a try. reach the summit, hearing all their frog species, over one hundred and Our walk started at around 8am, gut movements as they walk. But sixty birds, thirty mammal species, walking along for a few hours eventually this queue thins out as thirty lizard species and thirty three through dense rainforest. After a people stop for breaks or give up. snake species (sixty six individual while we met up with the main track Eventually you’re walking with only snakes). Seeing over three-hundred up the mountain. From here it was a few others around you, hiking species of wildlife, not including walking vertically up high steps for up steep rocks in the dark and invertebrates or plants, has made the rest of the walk. As we stopped cold, with an amazing star filled this an unforgettable and truly at rest points, it was incredible to sky above. It was a very different amazing experience. I don’t know see the elderly carrying up food, experience to walk straight for fifty if I’ll ever see so much on any trip utensils and even refrigerators up to one hundred metres and then again, but I do know one thing, it the mountain on their backs. I have to rest to catch your breath was the best trip, shared with the don’t know how they do it. We also because of the altitude. Eventually, best people, and I’ll definitely be had lovely little Kinabalu Squirrels although we all split up along the going back. visit us at the rest stops, trying to walk, every one of us made it to the get to our food. Walking up the top to watch the incredible sunrise Phil Topham 14

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 14 2/12/14 5:09 PM Hal Cogger A LEGEND OF AUSTRALIAN HERPETOLOGY

In June the AHS was thrilled to Four of the islands six reptile have Dr Harold Cogger return for species are now on the verge of a presentation, and book signing. extinction, with three species of Having retired from his position as lizard not seen since 2009. Five deputy director of the Australian species have inadvertantly been Museum Dr Cogger continues to introduced to the island since the be actively involved in the “Herp” 1940’s, all of which are thriving. scene. Predominantly now working As depressing as the message in on the reptiles of Christmas Island. the talk was, the members and Established as a European colony guests who attended couldn’t in 1887, and an Australian territory help but remain uplifted by the since 1958 Christmas Island has man presenting. Hal Cogger is limited reptile diversity, with a undoubtedly the most significant grand total of only 6 species, five figure ever in Australian of which are found nowhere else Herpetology, with a career on earth. Two geckos, three skinks spanning almost half a century. His and a blind snake. humble and gracious personality However, sadly the inadvertent won over the packed room all over introduction on the voracious again. lizard-eating Asian Wolf Snake After the talk he spent almost (Lycodon Capucinus) in the the next hour signing books, and mid 1980’s devastated the lizard chatting with attendees. population of the island. If this Thanks to everyone who attended. wasn’t bad enough It was great to see so many new super colonies of the imaginatively faces in the crowd. We hope with named Yellow Crazy Ant have the stellar line up we have for the spread extensively across the island remainder of the year other talks eating everything in its path, or will be equally well supported. forcing what wasn’t eaten to flee the area. The major victim has been the islands iconic red land crabs that travel in their millions across land back to the ocean to breed. The crabs which fed exclusively on leaf litter are no longer there, so the leaves remain, rapidly, and dramatically changing the environment.

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 15 2/12/14 5:09 PM Python reticulatus – Reticulated python Megophrys nasuta – Bornean horned frog SIMPSON DESERT Standing on the dune crest and periods can be very long and harsh, underground and shut down, some looking around me into the with annual rainfall frequently less forming the classic ‘water holding darkness, I saw eyes - many pairs than 100 mm. High rains drive frog’ cocoons made from shed skin. of eyes – glowing with the reflected high productivity but a boom can Others, such as N. nichollsi, simply light of my headtorch. Everywhere never last – and the greening of burrow deep in the loose dune sand I looked were frogs sitting on the the desert is invariably followed by to a level where the sand stays moist. moist red sand. All were a single wildfires. Many of the true winners They’re perfect boom-bust animals. species, Notaden nichollsi, the in the desert are those species that This has led to astonishingly high Desert Spadefoot. Looking more can both take advantage of the wet frog biomass (up to 2 kg of frogs closely I found some that were still periods explosively, then kick back per hectare) – more than that of in the process of emerging from and survive the dry. reptiles, birds or mammals. the sand, others moving around No discussion of the ecology of I first visited the Simpson in 2008, as on the surface and still more that the Simpson would be complete a volunteer with the Desert Ecology had found termite trails and were without mentioning spinifex Research Group out of Sydney getting stuck in, growing fat on and termites. Spinifex (Triodia University. I’ve now been on about termites whilst taking up precious basedowii) is a spiky, unpalatable 15 trips and work in the group as water from the sand. There was grass that seeds en masse after rain a research assistant. The project no standing water for several and manages to grow in the sand began when Chris Dickman first kilometers in any direction. and survive the driest conditions. travelled out to the desert 25 years Lying in the corner formed by Between rain events it enters almost ago and started digging pitfalls to Queensland, South Australia a suspended animation, barely study small mammals. Since then and the Northern Territory, the growing at all. This ‘rangeland’ has there has been constant research on Simpson Desert is extremely its own peculiar herbivore though: many different ecological questions, variable and unpredictable – termites. These live in underground ranging in scale from the individual largely due to rainfall fluctuations. galleries, eating largely spinifex. animal to the landscape. We travel Most people think ‘dry’ when they Termites in turn form a large part out there with academics, students, think of the desert, but really the of the diet of many of the small research staff and volunteers phrase ‘boom and bust’ describes vertebrates in the desert. about five times a year, driving the situation better. When rain In those times of high rain, frogs from Sydney and heading out past falls, it can really fall. More than can go ballistic, breeding in shallow Bedourie to work on four properties 600mm - London’s annual average claypans and gorging on termites, – two owned by Bush Heritage - fell in less than 4 months in ants and other insects. As the Australia and two operating cattle some areas in 2010. However, dry land dries out the frogs retreat stations. We spend about three

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 16 2/12/14 5:09 PM weeks camped out beneath the (Pseudechis australis) are spotted numbers of reptiles and mammals. gidgees with the beautiful clear occasionally. Yellow-faced whip The region’s diverse bird fauna night sky as a blanket. snakes (Demansia psammophis) doesn’t so much ‘boom and bust’ Reptile diversity is high in the are sometimes caught in the pitfalls as it ‘comes and goes’. By virtue of sandhill country. There are about 20 – one of these once led to a medical their wings, birds are a lot more species of skink and a handful each evacuation, caution being crucial in mobile than most animals, and of dragons, varanids, legless lizards such a remote area. Though I’ve not can travel within the desert to and geckos. The Simpson Desert yet come across either species, there find patches of resources – food or can boast both the largest and are tales, perhaps apocryphal, of water. Any standing water is visited the smallest goanna in Australia Desert Death Adders (Acanthophis by a stream of finches and budgies, (the Perentie, Varanus giganteus pyrrhus) and Woma pythons which then move out to forage and the Short-tailed Goanna, (Aspidites ramsayii) in the area. for seed in the larger area. Some V. brevicauda), the charismatic Aside from herpetofauna, we work birds will even make the trek from Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus), a lot with the small mammals in thousands of kilometers away to the flamboyant Fire-tailed Skink the area. These include rodents visit the desert after rain has fallen (Morethia ruficauda) and Blue- such as the Sandy Inland Mouse and the desert is transformed into tailed Skink (Ctenotus calurus). (Pseudomys hermannsbergensis) a lush, rich landscape. Many of the small reptiles eat – you and Spinifex Hopping Mouse The Simpson Desert is a land of guessed it – termites and ants. (Notomys alexis). Another notable contradictions. Though harsh, A rare encounter with a Perentie rodent is the Long-Haired Rat it’s fragile. though infertile, ranks as one the most enjoyable (Rattus villosissimus), a large rat productive. Though it’s one of the wildlife experiences out there for that turns up in large numbers driest and most unpredictable me. We were travelling between (one time we caught 17 in a single parts of our dry continent, an sites in some rocky country when pitfall trap!). This happens only animal as unlikely as a frog has I spotted a juvenile (~1.2 m long) very rarely – twice in 25 years - thrived there. It’s a land capable Perentie just off the side of the following exceptional rains in the of massive transformations – with road. Taking care to give it plenty region. Some of you may know this rain, fire and the booms and busts of space, the team and I were able rat as Inland Taipan food – that’s of the biota. to approach the impressive animal another snake that I’m keen to see, For more information on the and take lots of photos. For its part, though it probably doesn’t quite Desert Ecology Research Group it was very relaxed and continued get far enough west. as well as trip reports, photos, foraging, investigating burrows On the marsupial front, the Simpson news and volunteer info, see and the base of shrubs. Every now is home to the Hairy-Footed http://desertecology.edu.au and then it would stop in the shade, Dunnarts (Sminthopsis hirtipes and flop down and close its eyes for a youngsoni), the Wongai Ningaui David Nelson few moments before rousing itself (Ningaui ridei), and the relatively and sauntering off again. large Mulgara (Dasycercus blythi). Snakes are pretty thin on the ground Sadly, the medium-sized mammals out there. The most commonly seen that once lived in the area are all species is the rather underwhelming gone. Bandicoots and bettongs, rat- blind snake Ramphotyphlops kangaroos, hare wallabies and more endoterus. Ringed and Mengden’s – all victims to cats and foxes. These browns (Pseudonaja modesta and ferals continue to devastate the mengdeni), as well as King browns fauna of the region, preying on large Ghost skink – Eremiascincus phantasmus

Brachyurophis fasciolatus Moloch horridus –Thorny devil Varanus giganteus - Perentie - Narrow-banded shovel-nosed snake 17

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 17 2/12/14 5:09 PM AHS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Best Field Trip Photo — Litoria Aurea by Sharleen Knox

Best Captive Reptile Photo — Varanus giganteus by Scott Eipper

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 18 2/12/14 5:09 PM Best Smartphone Picture — Litoria Tyleri by Damian Lettoof

Herp Photo of the year — Cacophis Squamulosus by Sharleen Knox

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 19 2/12/14 5:09 PM VISITING CURRAWINYA NATIONAL PARK 2014

Pretty much every year, my fellow is saline) right next to each other, What we found this trip AHS mates Ken Griffiths Bruce sandy arid areas with saltbush De Vis Banded Snake King and I take off to the more and low vegetation as well as open (Denisonia devisi) arid parts of Western NSW and/or woodland along creeklines and Eastern Brown Snake Queensland for a week or two, to some rocky outcrops.. (Pseudonaja textilis) observe and photograph reptiles, This year we were about a month amphibians ….. (and birds, but too late getting up there, and Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) don’t tell the herpo’s). daytime temps of low 40’s and This year Ken and I we went back night time temps of mid to high Curl Snake (Suta suta) to Currawinya National Park 30’s made it a bit wearisome. King Brown Snake where we have been at least 4 Luckily our secret campsite has (Pseudechis australis) times before, which is just over the water and a great little dam to Western Bearded Dragon Queensland border about 220kms swim in. (Pogona vitticeps) north of Bourke, via a good gravel There are plenty of places to camp Shingleback (Tiliqua rugosa) road, just out of Hungerford. in the park especially along the Painted Dragon It is a very interesting and diverse banks of the Paroo where there are (Ctenophorus pictus) arid area park which incorporates plenty of birds, turtles and elapids Burns Dragon part of the Paroo River, and two to be seen. And there’s even toilets (Amphibolurus burnsi) huge lakes. Lake Numalla (which and a shower. Central Netted Dragon is fresh) and Lake Wyara (which There are usually plenty of reptiles (Ctenophorus nuchalis) and amphibians to find in this Knob Tailed Gecko - (Nephrurus levis) diverse area but due to extreme Brown Stripey (fast) Skink dryness and elevated temperatures (Ctenotus strauchi) this time, things were a bit quiet Inland Snake Eyed Skink this year. (Cryptoblepharus australis) Some of the reptiles we found, Broad Banded Sandswimmer especially the dragons, were still (Eremascincus richardsoni) heavily gravid, and we had the Burtons Legless Lizard pleasure of watching a female (Lialis burtonis) Amphibolurus burnsi (Burns Knob Tailed Gecko Dragon…..no relation) digging her (Nephrurus levis) Burns Dragon - (Amphibolurus burnsi) nest about 3 metres from our tent. Eastern Spiny Tailed Gecko Also the birdlife up there is quite (Strophurus williamsi) amazing, especially out at the lakes. Bynoes Gecko (Heteronotus bynoei) It is an area well worth visiting if you have the time. Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegate) Even with poor conditions, we Goulds Goanna (Varanus gouldii) found the following species over Kreffts Turtle the 5 days we were there. (Emydura macquarii kreffti) (the Queensland National Parks Murray River Turtle species list indicates 60 species (Emydura macquarii) King Brown Snake - (Pseudechis australis) of reptiles and 16 species of frogs Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) supposedly occur there so there is Perons Tree Frog (Litoria peroni) plenty more to find.) Desert Tree Frog (Litoria rubella) We have found about half of that list so far, but need more trips Broad Palmed Rocket Frog (especially just after rain) to add (Litoria latopalmata) species to our list. Barking Frog (Limnodynastes fletcheri) Rob Burns And a million birds

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 20 2/12/14 5:09 PM FUN IN THE FIELD

The Australian Herpetological Society runs regular field trips for the benefit of its members.

This year field trips have taken the society to Smith’s Lakes, Yengo NP, Colo and Watagns under the guidance of scientifically licensed field leaders. This provides a valuable and unique experience to learn how to take and record data, meet like-minded people, socialise and have fun in a safe environment. All financial members are eligible to participate in our field trips. For more information visit; www.ahs.org.au.

Hope to see you at one soon.

283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 21 2/12/14 5:10 PM

Australian Herpetological Society Inc.

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283449 Newsletter 2014.indd 22 2/12/14 5:10 PM