Due to the low numbers of this species - the Blue Mountains Water A Skink (Eulamprus leuraensis) is listed How you can help Blue Mountains as an Endangered Species

endangered species under both the Threatened • Avoid planting invasive weed spe- Species Conservation Act 1995 and cies (such as ivy and montbretia) in Blue Mountains the Environmental Protection and your garden—a weeds of the Blue Water Skink Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Mountains booklet is available from (Eulamprus leuraensis) Blue Mountains City Council. Residents of the Blue Mountains now recognise the special qualities of • Minimise use of fertilisers. swamps. If your house is near a swamp seek advice from Blue • Dispose of chemicals thoughtfully Mountains City Council on how you can assist in protecting these unique • Help educate others on the need to habitats. look after our swamps.

• Prevent sediment entering our wa- terways — cover piles of dirt and bare patches of soil.

• Always walk around NOT THROUGH swamps.

• Keep your cat inside at night.

• Join your local Bushcare Group. For more information look at the following For more details ring 02) 4780 5623 websites: or e-mail: http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ [email protected] http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Department of http://www.green.net.au/rarespecies/ Environment and http://www.deh.gov.au/index.html Conservation Blue Mountains Why is it Habitat Water Skink Endangered ? (Eulamprus leuraensis) This species is only found one place in The predominant threats to this the world - in a few swamps of the upper species include : The Blue Mountains Water Skink is Blue Mountains of NSW. · Alteration of its swamp a medium sized lizard that grows to habitat through clearing, approximately 16-20 cm. The body Blue Mountains Swamps are a weed invasion, pollution and is very dark brown to black with biologically diverse plant community that illegal tracks. narrow yellow/bronze stripes occurs nowhere else in the world. The · Predation by cats, dogs and along its back continuing as spots vegetation in these swamps range from foxes. along its tail. The legs and sides are low buttongrass clumps to large shrubs · Habitat disturbance (walking also dark brown to black with yellow/ such as Hakea and Grevillea species. though swamps). bronze streaks and blotches. Other Threatened Species also live in This species is currently known from these same habitats : less than 40 locations in the upper • Giant Dragonfly Blue Mountains, between Hazel- (Petaleura gigantea) brook and Newnes Plateau. It is • Giant Burrowing Frog found in sedge and shrub swamps (Heleioporus australiacus) in the upper Blue Mountains, it has • Red-Crowned Toadlet also been recorded in vegetation (Pseudophryne australis) next to creeks. • Pultanaea glabra (a plant)

The Blue Mountains Water Skink is semi-aquatic and is active on warm Habitat of the Blue Mountains Water Skink sunny days from September to April. It feeds on grasshoppers, flies There are less than 3,000 ha of Blue moths, weevils and wasps. The Mountains Swamp in existence. As females give birth to live young in they can be small in size, they are late December. When disturbed this very vulnerable to impacts from species takes refuge in grass nearby residential areas. tussocks or small holes.