DOCSLIB.ORG

Canid Predation: a Potentially Significant Threat to Relic Populations of the Inland Carpet Python Morelia Spilota Metcalfei (Pythonidae) in Victoria

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Canid Predation: a Potentially Significant Threat to Relic Populations of the Inland Carpet Python Morelia Spilota Metcalfei (Pythonidae) in Victoria Research Report Canid predation: a potentially significant threat to relic populations of the Inland Carpet Python Morelia spilota metcalfei (Pythonidae) in Victoria Geoffrey W Heard1-*,Peter Robertson3, Dennis Black', Geoffrey Barrow', Peter Johnsons, Victor Hurley6 and Geoffrey Allen6 'Department of Environmental Management and Ecology, La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga Campus, PO Box 821, Wodonga, Victoria 3689 'Current Address: Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086. Email: [email protected] 'Wildlife Profiles Pty. Ltd., PO Box 500, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 'Parks Victoria, Tara Crt, Ford Street, Wangarana, Victoria 3677 'Department of Sustainability and Environment, North-west region, PO Box 3100, Bendigo Delivery Centre, Bendigo, Victoria 3554 Tlora and Fauna Business, North-west Region, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 905, Mildura, Victoria 3500 Abstract In Victoria's contemporary rural environments, introduced predators may represent the principal predatory threat to many large, non-venomous reptile species. We present circumstantial evidence that introduced canids are predators of the Inland Carpet Python Morelia spilota metcalfei, using data collected during a radio-telemetric study of the sub-species' ecology across northern Victoria. Seven pythons (23% of those tracked) were killed by predators during the study, and evidence col- lected during transmitter retrieval suggested that foxes or wild dogs were involved in six of these cases (the seventh having been eaten by a goanna). Evidence includes the recovery of transmitters from fox den sites, their partial burial in several cases (consistent with caching behaviour) and dam- age to each transmitter consistent with chewing by a fox or dog (teeth marks in the silicon coating, puncture of the metal housing). Given the abundance of canids (specifically foxes) within these study sites, their ability to prey on carpet pythons, and evidence of their involvement with these pre- dation events, we conclude that canid predation was the primary cause of death for each of these six snakes, and represents a potentially significant issue for carpet python conservation in Victoria. Suggestions for canid control programs and habitat management to minimise this threat to remaining populations of this endangered snake are offered. (The P"ctorian Naturalist 123 (2) 2006. 68-74) Introduction The Inland Carpet Python Morelia spilota omous, and inhabits inland regions of metcalfei (Pythonidae) is a large (to 3 m southern Australia where introduced preda- total length), semi-arboreal snake that is tors can be abundant and ubiquitous across distributed widely across the Murray habitats (Newsome et al. 1997). Darling Basin of south-eastern Australia In this paper, we present circumstantial (Barker and Barker 1994; Greer 1997). In evidence that these pythons are vulnerable Victoria, the sub-species is considered to predation by introduced canids (primari- endangered (DSE 2003) and restricted to ly the Red Fox V~rlpesv~rlpes but potential- the woodland habitats of the northern ly also Wild Dogs Canis familiaris). plains, primarily those associated with Specifically, we detail evidence that canids watercourses (River Red Gum Euca/,~ptzrs killed the majority of carpet pythons lost to camald~rlensisor Black Box E. Iarg~jlorens predation during a radio-telemetric study woodland) or prominent granite outcrops of the sub-species' ecology conducted (Coventry and Robertson 1991 ; Allen et al. across Victoria's northern plains between 2003). Apparent declines in the sub- 1997 and 2002. species' Victorian range have been attrib- Methods uted primarily to habitat alterations; how- Stirr!~.areas ever, predation by introduced mammals has Pythons were radio-tracked in nine study also been cited as a potentially threatening areas, spanning three regions of northern process (Allen et al. 2003). This snake may Victoria (Fig. I). In the north-east, 17 be particularly vulnerable to exotic preda- snakes were tracked in three study sites tors; it is relatively slow moving, non-ven- 68 The Victorian Naturalist Research Report Fig. 1. The location of each study area in which carpet pythons were radio-tracked across northern Victoria. Study areas are: 1 - Mt Killawarra, 2 - Boweya, 3 - Mt Bruno, 4 - Mt Meg Flora and Fauna Reserve, 5 - Mt Hope Flora and Fauna Reserve, 6 - Nyah State Forest, 7 - Piambie State Forest, 8 - Lambert Island, 9 - Walpolla Island State Forest.. either within, or adjacent to, the Warby dominated by Deane's Wattle Acacia Range State Park, including Mt Killawarra deanei paucijuga (Conn 1993; Parks (36O15'N, 146O1 I'E), Mt Bruno (36OI9'N, Victoria 2000). 146O09'E) and Boweya (36O 1 7'N, Eight pythons were radio-tracked within 146O09'E). An additional study site, the Mt the Riverine forests of north-western Meg Flora and Fauna Reserve (36O22'N, Victoria. From east to west, snakes were 146O05'E), is located in the Chesney Vale tracked at Nyah State Forest (35O05'N, Hills, 22 km WSW of the Warby Range. 143O20'E), Piambie State Forest (34O52'N, All areas within the north-east are charac- 1430201E), Lambert Island (34O2 I'N, terised by steep, rocky slopes (weathered 142O22'E) and Walpolla Island State granite outcrops and screes) with open Forest (34O07'N, 141°42'E). All sites were granitic woodland or low heathland. At all located on the floodplain of the Murray locations, remnant vegetation abuts cleared River. Vegetation composition varied little agricultural land, with the extent of frag- between the three localities, being domi- mentation being highest at Mt Meg, where nated by River Red Gum and Black Box. a mosaic of remnant vegetation occurs Disturbance from cattle grazing, timber (Heard and Black 2003; Heard et al. 2004). extraction and recreational activities are Five pythons were radio-tracked within common to all localities. the ~i Hope Flora and Fauna Reserve (35059fN, 144013tE)in north-central St~idj'aninzals and radio-telenzetric Victoria. Mt Hope is a prominent granite "lonitoring massif that rises steeply from the Temperature-sensitive. miniature radio ing plains, most of which have been transmitters (Holohil Systems Pty Ltd, cleared for agriculture, The reserve sup- Canada; S1-2T) were ports a shrub-land vegetation community implanted within the body cavity of snakes Research Report under aseptic conditions. A description of sheltering within a rock crevice. Its trans- implantation techniques is provided in mitter was subsequently located within an Heard et al. (2004). Units represented less open paddock east of this site, partially than 2% of python body weight in all cases. buried in the soil, with numerous teeth We endeavoured to locate each python marks in the unit's silicone coating. weekly (usually in the morning to early The remaining two snakes lost in the afternoon). However, logistical constraints north-east were both apparently killed occasionally resulted in this interval being within the vicinity of residential buildings. reduced or extended between 2 and 21 At Mt Meg, 'NE16' was last recorded days. A directional 'H' antenna and minia- inhabiting a roof cavity within a series of ture radio receiver (Telonics Inc., Arizona) buildings in the south of the study site. The were used to track the signal of radio trans- snake had occupied these buildings during mitters, and co-ordinates of each location all locations in the two months following were recorded in the Universal Transverse her re-release, and thus appeared to have Mercator (UTM) system using a Trimble been taken during her first movement global positioning system (Trimble 10 away from the buildings during the track- channel Ensign XL GPS Unit). ing period. Her transmitter was subse- Upon the death of a python, notes were quently located lying on the ground in an maintained on the location of the carcass open paddock east of this site. The unit had or transmitter, and descriptions of the sur- been bitten repeatedly, exposing its metal rounding habitat and specific collection casing. At Mt Bruno, an immature female site recorded. The identity of any predator 'NE15' was killed after residing for sever- involved was assessed by damage to trans- al months in the vicinity of a residential mitters (including teeth marks), collection building located in remnant woodland. site characteristics and the presence of This snake was also last found inhabiting a scats or footprints. roof cavity. Its transmitter was retrieved from a wooded slope overlooking the Results property; it had been chewed and partially Seven carpet pythons (23% of those buried. tracked) were killed during the study, five One python was killed at each of the Mt in the north-east and one each at Mt Hope Hope and Piambie study sites (Table I). At and within the riverine forests of the north- Mt Hope, the dismembered remains and west (Table 1). One of these animals transmitter of the large, adult female 'NEI I' apparently fell victim to a Lace 'NW31' were found at the entrance to a Monitor Varanus varius; the transmitter rock crevice on 4 May 1999. The snake was located within a tree-hollow some four had been recorded within this rock crevice metres above ground amongst numerous during the previous two tracking events goanna scats. However, evidence collected (25 March, 14 April 1999). and had fre- during transmitter retrieval suggests that quented the site during the months preced- canids killed the remaining six pythons. ing death. This snake had been tracked for Two animals were killed in remnant 565 days in total. Lastly, the Piambie ani- woodland at Mt Meg. The first, 'NE13', mal 'NWOI' was apparently killed whilst died within 16 days of release. Prior to inhabiting a large, relatively open hollow death, this animal was recorded sheltering log in River Red Gum woodland. The par- in a hollow log amongst intact remnant tially chewed transmitter (numerous teeth woodland on the north face of Mt Meg. marks were evident in the silicone coating) The heavily chewed transmitter from this from this snake was located approximately snake was located within a fox den in 50 m from this log, beneath loose woody dense shrubbery amongst the remains of debris.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Broad-Headed Snake (Hoplocephalus Bungaroides)', Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales (1946-7), Pp
    Husbandry Guidelines Broad-Headed Snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides Compiler – Charles Morris Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Captive Animals Certificate III RUV3020R Lecturers: Graeme Phipps, Jacki Salkeld & Brad Walker 2009 1 Occupational Health and Safety WARNING This Snake is DANGEROUSLY VENOMOUS CAPABLE OF INFLICTING A POTENTIALLY FATAL BITE ALWAYS HAVE A COMPRESSION BANDAGE WITHIN REACH SNAKE BITE TREATMENT: Do NOT wash the wound. Do NOT cut the wound, apply substances to the wound or use a tourniquet. Do NOT remove jeans or shirt as any movement will assist the venom to enter the blood stream. KEEP THE VICTIM STILL. 1. Apply a broad pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible. 2. Keep the limb still. The bandage should be as tight as you would bind a sprained ankle. 3. Extend the bandage down to the fingers or toes then up the leg as high as possible. (For a bite on the hand or forearm bind up to the elbow). 4. Apply a splint if possible, to immobilise the limb. 5. Bind it firmly to as much of the limb as possible. (Use a sling for an arm injury). Bring transport to the victim where possible or carry them to transportation. Transport the victim to the nearest hospital. Please Print this page off and put it up on the wall in your snake room. 2 There is some serious occupational health risks involved in keeping venomous snakes. All risk can be eliminated if kept clean and in the correct lockable enclosures with only the risk of handling left in play.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigations Into the Presence of Nidoviruses in Pythons Silvia Blahak1, Maria Jenckel2,3, Dirk Höper2, Martin Beer2, Bernd Hoffmann2 and Kore Schlottau2*
    Blahak et al. Virology Journal (2020) 17:6 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-020-1279-5 RESEARCH Open Access Investigations into the presence of nidoviruses in pythons Silvia Blahak1, Maria Jenckel2,3, Dirk Höper2, Martin Beer2, Bernd Hoffmann2 and Kore Schlottau2* Abstract Background: Pneumonia and stomatitis represent severe and often fatal diseases in different captive snakes. Apart from bacterial infections, paramyxo-, adeno-, reo- and arenaviruses cause these diseases. In 2014, new viruses emerged as the cause of pneumonia in pythons. In a few publications, nidoviruses have been reported in association with pneumonia in ball pythons and a tiger python. The viruses were found using new sequencing methods from the organ tissue of dead animals. Methods: Severe pneumonia and stomatitis resulted in a high mortality rate in a captive breeding collection of green tree pythons. Unbiased deep sequencing lead to the detection of nidoviral sequences. A developed RT-qPCR was used to confirm the metagenome results and to determine the importance of this virus. A total of 1554 different boid snakes, including animals suffering from respiratory diseases as well as healthy controls, were screened for nidoviruses. Furthermore, in addition to two full-length sequences, partial sequences were generated from different snake species. Results: The assembled full-length snake nidovirus genomes share only an overall genome sequence identity of less than 66.9% to other published snake nidoviruses and new partial sequences vary between 99.89 and 79.4%. Highest viral loads were detected in lung samples. The snake nidovirus was not only present in diseased animals, but also in snakes showing no typical clinical signs.
    [Show full text]
  • Carpet Python Morelia Spilota (Lacépède, 1804) Including Undisturbed Remnant Bushland Near Perth and the Darling Size Ranges, Yanchep National Park, and Garden Island
    Carpet Python Morelia spilota (Lacépède, 1804) including undisturbed remnant bushland near Perth and the Darling Size Ranges, Yanchep National Park, and Garden Island. Populations also occur on St Francis Island (South Australia), and islands of the Averages 2.0 m total length, though individuals have been reported Archipelago of the Recherche (Western Australia). to 4.0 m in length. Morelia spilota variegata Weight Distributed across South Australia, Victoria, inland NSW, Morelia spilota imbricata Queensland, Northern Territory, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Males For further information regarding the distribution of this species Up to 1.1 kg please refer to www.naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au Females Up to 4.5 kg Habitat Subspecies Photo: Babs & Bert Wells/DEC Morelia spilota variegata Occurs in mesic (areas with moderate amounts of moisture) to semi- Three subspecies are currently recognised: arid habitats, from the Kimberley region to northern Victoria. • Morelia spilota imbricata (southern Western Australia and eastern South Australia) Morelia spilota imbricata • Morelia spilota spilota (eastern NSW and lowland New Guinea) This subspecies has been recorded in semi-arid coastal and inland habitats consisting of Banksia woodland, eucalypt woodlands, and • Morelia spilota variegata (remainder of range including northern grasslands. Western Australia) Behaviour Description In the summer months, the Carpet Python is active either at night, or Colour patterns vary across their geographic range. In Western at dawn and dusk. In cooler months it may be active during the Australia, the colour varies from pale to dark brown, with blackish daytime and occasionally has been seen to bask in the sun on cool blotches or variegations, which may form cross bands.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Ecology of a Cryptic Arboreal Snake (Hoplocephalus Bitorquatus)
    CSIRO PUBLISHING Australian Journal of Zoology https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO18009 Population ecology of a cryptic arboreal snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) Michael B. Shelton A,C, Ross L. Goldingay A and Stephen S. Phillips B ASchool of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. BBiolink Ecological Consultants, 9 Marshall Street, Uki, NSW 2484, Australia. CCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract. Biologists have traditionally been reluctant to study arboreal snakes due to low rates of capture. Overlooking such taxa can mislead interpretations of population trends for data-deficient species. We used regularly spaced transect searches and standard capture–mark–recapture techniques to describe population structure, growth rates, survival and capture probability in a population of the pale-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) in southern Queensland. We obtained data from 194 captures of 113 individual snakes between 2009 and 2015. Using the Cormack–Jolly–Seber method, we estimated apparent annual survival in subadult snakes at 0.23 Æ 0.01 (s.e.) and 0.81 Æ 0.08 for adults. Capture probability was estimated at 0.16 Æ 0.14 per session in subadult snakes and 0.33 Æ 0.06 for adults. Within the red gum forests of our study site, we estimate pale-headed snake density at ~13 Æ 7ha–1. Using von Bertalanffy growth modelling, we predict that snakes reach sexual maturity after about four years and may live for up to 20. Our results suggest that the species is a ‘k’ strategist, characterised by slow maturation and low fecundity. These traits suggest that populations will recover slowly following decline, exacerbating the risk of local extinction.
    [Show full text]
  • Diamond Python Morelia Spilota Spilota
    Action Statement FloraFlora and and Fauna Fauna Guarantee Guarantee Act Act 1988 1988 No. No. ### 104 Diamond Python Morelia spilota spilota Description and Distribution The Diamond Python Morelia spilota spilota (Lacépède 1804) is a colourful and distinctive python distributed along the eastern coast of Australia from East Gippsland north to near Coffs Harbour in NSW. One of only two pythons occurring in Victoria (the other is the closely related Carpet Python Morelia spilota variegata), it has the most southerly distribution of all Australian pythons and, in East Gippsland, occurs at the highest latitudes of any python in the world (Slip & Shine 1988d). Average adult length is about 2m, with a maximum of 4m. Diamond Python Morelia spilota spilota Typical colouration above is a glossy olive-black, (photograph by Ian McCann) with cream or yellow spots on most scales, with some of these spots occurring as groups, sometimes in a diamond shape, giving a patterned effect. The lower body is cream or yellow, patterned with dark grey. The lips are cream, barred with black (Cogger 1996). Hatchlings and juveniles are mottled brown, and appear very similar to young Carpet Pythons, changing to adult colouration in the first few years of life (Shine 1991). The Diamond Python is restricted in Victoria to far East Gippsland (Coventry & Robertson 1991), with few confirmed records, most from within the area bounded by the Cann River, the Princes Highway and the coast. In NSW, the python occurs only east of the Great Dividing Range, but it is not entirely coastal, extending inland along some of the larger Distribution in Victoria river systems north of Sydney.
    [Show full text]
  • Fauna of Australia 2A
    FAUNA of AUSTRALIA 33. FAMILY BOIDAE Harald Ehmann 33. FAMILY BOIDAE Pl. 7.2. Aspidites ramsayi (Boidae): a nocturnal, terrestrial snake, often found sheltering in hollow logs or thick vegetation; occurs in dry areas and deserts across central Australia. [J. Wombey] Pl. 7.3. Chondropython viridis (Boidae): juveniles are often yellow, and coil in the manner shown; (see also Pl 7.4). [H. Cogger] 2 33. FAMILY BOIDAE Pl. 7.4. Chondropython viridis (Bioidae): adults of this species are bright green (see also Pl. 7.3); a nocturnal, arboreal python of the rainforests, north-eastern Cape York. [H. Cogger] Pl. 7.5. Antaresia stimsoni (Boidae): found frequently near rock outcrops, in stone fields, around large trees or other isolated features in sandy deserts; throughout arid central and western parts of Australia. [H. Cogger] 3 33. FAMILY BOIDAE DEFINITION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION Worldwide the boids include terrestrial, arboreal, burrowing, semi-aquatic and saxicoline species. They are non-venomous, medium-sized or very large snakes. Many of the Australian species are nocturnal and many feed on mammals or birds as adults. Most boids immobilise their prey in tight coilings of the body, and use sustained constriction to kill prey by suffocation (Fig. 33.1). The Boidae are distinguished from other snakes by the presence of vestiges of the pelvis and, usually, hindlimbs which appear as cloacal spurs in live snakes. The supratemporal and quadrate bones are long, resulting in a relatively large mouth. Uniform, large, recurved sharp teeth are present on the dentary, maxilla, palatine, pterygoid. Teeth are present also on the premaxilla of most pythonines.
    [Show full text]
  • Husbandry and Reproduction of the Northern Territory/ Kimberley Form Carpet Python, Morel/A Spilota Variegata (Gray, 1842)
    Husbandry and Reproduction of Morelia spilota variegata I 25 HUSBANDRY AND REPRODUCTION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY/ KIMBERLEY FORM CARPET PYTHON, MOREL/A SPILOTA VARIEGATA (GRAY, 1842) By: Simon Kortlang, Victorian Herpetological Society, Australia. Contents: Introduction - Housing - Heating - Feeding - Breeding - Laying and incubation - Care of young - Footnote - Acknowledgements - References. * * * INTRODUCfION The Carpet python is a well known Australian boid found in all mainland states and showing considerable variation in adult size, colouration and abundance over its range. Under the broad 'Carpet python' heading, a number of separate species and subspecies exist. Foto 1: Morelia spilota variegata, vrouwtje 4, drachtig, tekening en kleur specifiek voor de Northern Territory /Kimberley vorm, windingen gedeeltelijk gedraaid, typisch voor drachtige pythons. Gravid female 4, showing distinctive pattern and colouration of Nothem Territory/Kimberley form, coils partially inverted, typical for many gestating pythons. Foto: Brian Barnett. 26 I Litteratura Serpenti.um, 1994, Vol. 14, Nr. 1 Morelia spilota spilota (Lacepede, 1804) - Coastal New South wales. Morelia bredli (Gow, 1981) - Arid Central Australia. Morelia spilota imbricata (Smith, 1981) - South Western Australia. Morelia spilota variegata (Gray, 1842) - Remainder of range. However, Morelia spilota variegata has been further broken down by some authors into various geographical forms. i.e. Colour and size which is confined to Carpet pythons of particular regions only and is continuous within that given area. Examples are: Jungle (Atherton Tableland) form, (Banks, 1979; Wilson & Knowles, 1988; Haser, 1988). Murray/Darling form (Banks, 1979; Wilson & Knowles, 1988; Haser 1989). Northern Territory/Kimberley form, (Wilson & Knowles, 1988; Haser, 1989). Typical form, Banks, 1979; Wilson & Knowles, 1988; Haser, 1988).
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Invasion Risk of Pet Traded Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles
    diversity Article Potential Invasion Risk of Pet Traded Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, and Tuatara in the EU on the Basis of a Risk Assessment Model (RAM) and Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) OldˇrichKopecký *, Anna Bílková, Veronika Hamatová, Dominika K ˇnazovická, Lucie Konrádová, Barbora Kunzová, Jana Slamˇeníková, OndˇrejSlanina, Tereza Šmídová and Tereza Zemancová Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha 6 - Suchdol 165 21, Prague, Czech Republic; [email protected] (A.B.); [email protected] (V.H.); [email protected] (D.K.); [email protected] (L.K.); [email protected] (J.S.); [email protected] (B.K.); [email protected] (O.S.); [email protected] (T.S.); [email protected] (T.Z.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +420-22438-2955 Received: 30 June 2019; Accepted: 9 September 2019; Published: 13 September 2019 Abstract: Because biological invasions can cause many negative impacts, accurate predictions are necessary for implementing effective restrictions aimed at specific high-risk taxa. The pet trade in recent years became the most important pathway for the introduction of non-indigenous species of reptiles worldwide. Therefore, we decided to determine the most common species of lizards, snakes, and crocodiles traded as pets on the basis of market surveys in the Czech Republic, which is an export hub for ornamental animals in the European Union (EU). Subsequently, the establishment and invasion potential for the entire EU was determined for 308 species using proven risk assessment models (RAM, AS-ISK). Species with high establishment potential (determined by RAM) and at the same time with high potential to significantly harm native ecosystems (determined by AS-ISK) included the snakes Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae), Morelia spilota (Pythonidae) and also the lizards Tiliqua scincoides (Scincidae) and Intellagama lesueurii (Agamidae).
    [Show full text]
  • HCN Proposed Reptiles Species List
    HCN Proposed Reptiles Species List All content in this publication is owned by the Herpetocultural Cooperative of NSW Complied by the HCN Committee on behalf of our members and community. Contributors to this document include representatives from: Australian Herpetological Society, Central Coast Herpetological Society, Hawkesbury Herpetological Society, Illawarra Reptile Society, Macarthur Herpetological Society, North Coast Herpetological Group, Shoalhaven Reptile Club, Turtles R Us, DoLittle Farms, Flora & Fauna Management Services, Wildexpos, and other private reptile keepers. 2 Contents: 1. Nomenclateral changes & species division 4 Turtles 4 Lizards, geckos 4 Lizards, skinks 7 Lizards, dragons 9 Lizards, goannas 11 Snakes, pythons 12 Snakes elapids 12 2. List of Coded Species 13 3. Proposed method for changes to assignment/addition of taxa to Reptile 19 License categories Addition of new species NOT native to NSW 19 Addition of new species that occur in natural populations in NSW 20 Changes in category species 20 4. Current allocation of venomous snakes to Reptile Keeper Categories 21 5. Proposal for additions of several species to current licensing categories 23 Partial list of lizards & snakes for which applications to hold or import may 25 occur Pygopods 25 Skins 25 Dragons 26 Goannas 26 Pythons 27 elapids 27 Draft species Risk Assessment Tools 29 Black spined Nobbi Dragon 29 Slater’s Ring-tailed Dragon 32 Goldfield’s Ring-tailed Dragon 35 White-lipped Two-lined Dragon 38 Arnhem Two-lined Dragon 41 Lally’s Two-lined Dragon 44 Thorny Devil 47 North-west Red-faced Turtle 49 Northern Yellow-faced Turtle 54 Painted Short-necked Turtle 57 3 The HCN notes that the proposed classification of reptiles to Reptile Keeper Classes makes no changes to the existing listings other than to remove 11 species from Class 1 to a new Code- regulated category.
    [Show full text]
  • Pest Risk Assessment
    PEST RISK ASSESSMENT Carpet Python Morelia spilota Photo: Kyle A. Zimmerman. Image from Wikimedia Commons under a GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 May 2012 Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Resource Management and Conservation Division Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 2012 Information in this publication may be reproduced provided that any extracts are acknowledged. This publication should be cited as: DPIPWE (2012) Pest Risk Assessment: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Hobart, Tasmania. About this Pest Risk Assessment This pest risk assessment is developed in accordance with the Policy and Procedures for the Import, Movement and Keeping of Vertebrate Wildlife in Tasmania (DPIPWE 2011). The policy and procedures set out conditions and restrictions for the importation of controlled animals pursuant to S32 of the Nature Conservation Act 2002. This pest risk assessment is prepared by DPIPWE for use within the Department. For more information about this Pest Risk Assessment, please contact: Wildlife Management Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Address: GPO Box 44, Hobart, TAS. 7001, Australia. Phone: 1300 386 550 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au Disclaimer The information provided in this Pest Risk Assessment is provided in good faith. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information in this Pest Risk Assessment and/or reliance on its availability at any time. Pest Risk Assessment: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) 2/18 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Prey, Habitat Heterogeneity and Fire on the Spatial
    bs_bs_banner Austral Ecology (2014) 39, 181–189 The effects of prey, habitat heterogeneity and fire on the spatial ecology of peninsular Diamond Pythons (Morelia spilota spilota: Pythonidae) DAMIAN R. MICHAEL,* ROSS B. CUNNINGHAM, CHRISTOPHER MACGREGOR, DARREN BROWN AND DAVID B. LINDENMAYER Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia (Email: [email protected]) Abstract Understanding an organism’s home range is an important component of effective wildlife management. However, home ranges can vary spatially and temporally within and between populations. Landscape ecology theory can provide a framework for understanding spatio-temporal variability in animal traits. We used radio- telemetry in a population of diamond python Morelia spilota spilota Lacépède (Pythonidae) from a biologically rich and structurally heterogeneous reserve in eastern Australia to explore the relationship between home range size, optimal foraging theory and vegetation mosaic theory.Twelve adult snakes were tracked between September 2004 and February 2008. Male home ranges were significantly larger (P < 0.05) and more variable (41 Ϯ 30 ha) than female home ranges (23 Ϯ 5 ha), and males moved further between observations (123 m c.f. 65 m). Core activity centres varied significantly among habitat (P < 0.05) with larger home ranges observed in heathland, a vegetation community which supported comparatively low mammal diversity. No other variables examined including number of fixes, body length, prey abundance, vegetation heterogeneity or fire history explained home range variability. In this system, relatively high mammalian prey diversity and rapid post-fire vegetation succession may limit prey availability and fire effects as being significant determinants of home range variability in M.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Museum Has a Long-Standing Involvement in Wildlife Licencing Both As a Licensee and As a Recipient of Specimens from Licence-Holders
    24 July, 2018 Wildlife Licensing Reforms Office of Environment and Heritage Dear Sir or Madam, Re: Wildlife licensing changes: Public consultation Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed wildlife licencing changes. As the oldest museum in Australia, the Australian Museum has a long-standing involvement in wildlife licencing both as a licensee and as a recipient of specimens from licence-holders. The Australian Museum is an active stakeholder in biodiversity conservation and through our Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics’ accreditation as a Wildlife Forensics laboratory, is an authority on the wildlife trade. By world standards, Australia has a relatively high level of regulation of native fauna and the Museum is a keen supporter of this approach. Trade, husbandry and control of native wildlife presents risks in terms of poaching, disease, genetic disruption and establishment of wild populations outside of natural ranges. Although it is costly to implement, we believe that rigorous licensing is an essential element of our conservation strategy and have previously worked with Office of Environment and Heritage on research of species kept under license where illegal trade occurred in particular during periods of ad-hoc record keeping (see Hogg et al, 2018). We acknowledge that increasing interest in Australian wildlife has increased the number of people seeking to keep wildlife and it appears that this increase is one of the drivers for this discussion paper. However, we do not agree that expanding the industry should be considered inevitable, nor do we consider it desirable to simplify regulation through codes of practice. Ultimately, we think it is important for government to recognise that licensing is an important function of government and that adequate resourcing must be provided to reflect changes in demand.
    [Show full text]