LAND MULLET

The Land Mullet: Australia’s Chunky Skink Superstar

 With a body length rivaling a school ruler (up to 60 cm!), this reptile stands out for both size and stealth.

• Colour: Ranges from polished dark brown to impeccable jet black.
• Scales: Smooth and glossy — giving it a shiny, almost “wet-look” finish (hence, the ‘mullet’ name!).
• Size: One of Australia’s largest skinks, growing up to around 60 cm in length.
• Build: Stocky, robust, and solid — if it were a lizard at the gym, it would definitely skip leg day.

Distribution & Habitat

• Endemic to: Australia, with a stronghold in eastern and south-eastern regions.
• Preferred habitats:
  • Woodlands and forests
  • Rocky outcrops
  • Grasslands (particularly those with ample leaf litter and rocks for cover)
• Enjoys hidden nooks and crannies, staying under cover to avoid predators and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

Behaviour & Diet

• Activity: Diurnal (active during the daytime), but moves with such leisurely grace you might mistake it for being in slow-motion.
• Nature: Slow-moving, secretive, and not prone to any big showy displays. It’s a low-key lizard, content to observe the world at its own pace.
• Diet: Insectivorous
  • Snacks include: insects, spiders, small snails, and other tasty invertebrates.

Reproduction

• Viviparous: That’s science-speak for “gives birth to live young”.
• Advantages: Embryos develop inside the mother, getting extra protection and a nutritional head start.
• Result: Out come little mini-mullets, fully formed and ready to take on the world (in a stealthy, slow-moving fashion).

Conservation

• Threats: Like a lot of native Aussie wildlife, they’re not immune to:
  • Habitat loss (think urban spread, agriculture, land clearing)
  • Degradation of natural hiding spots
  • Predation by cats and dogs
• Status: Not considered endangered overall, but their populations can dwindle in areas where their homes are bulldozed for development or farmland.