Rare Reptile Scientists Thought Was Extinct Found After Almost Half Century

A rare lizard that had eluded scientists for over four decades has been found among grasslands in Australia.

The Lyon's grassland striped skink had not been seen for 42 years and was feared to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the northeastern Queensland state earlier this year, a team of researchers announced on Wednesday.

Scientists from Queensland Museum and James Cook University embarked on a mission to locate this elusive reptile as part of a broader research effort by the Australian government's National Environmental Science Program.

The survey's primary objective was to identify highly threatened reptiles across Queensland, with a particular focus on three species of skinks confined to the Mount Surprise area, approximately 190 miles south of Cairns. These reptiles are notoriously challenging to find and are rarely seen in the wild.

Andrew Amey, collection manager of amphibians and reptiles, herpetology, at Queensland Museum, led the expedition. He said: "These lizards are all hard to find and seldom seen. Two are part of a large group of skinks in the genus Lerista, which are only found in Australia and have adapted to sandy soils by reducing their limbs to essentially swim through the soil."

Lyon's grassland striped skink can reach up to 2 inches, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Its color is dark brown with pale narrow stripes.The discovery of this lizard, last observed in 1981, represents a significant step forward in its conservation efforts.

Associate professor Conrad Hoskin of James Cook University, a member of the survey team said: "To find it again after 42 years, and at several different sites, is exciting. We now need to assess its full distribution and habitat requirements."

It wasn't just the Lyon's grassland striped skink that has been discovered either, as the survey also uncovered two other skink species—the limbless fine-lined slider and the Mount Surprise slider.

The limbless fine-lined slider was found in the Undara Volcanic National Park, while the Mount Surprise slider was previously known from only one paddock. The purpose of these surveys was not only to confirm the existence of these species but also to identify potential new populations.

The limited distribution of these skinks makes them highly susceptible to various threats, including bushfires, drought, invasive weeds and disease.

As a result, the Lyon's grassland striped skink has recently been classified as Critically Endangered by both the Queensland and Australian governments, underscoring the urgent need for their protection.

"We need to know if these skinks have healthy populations or if they are declining," Amey said. "We can't take effective action to protect them if we don't know where they occur and what threats are impacting them."