LONG NOSED TA-TA DRAGON

Amphibolurus longirostrus

 Long-nosed Ta-ta Lizard


Key Features

FeatureDetails
Size25 cm (including tail)
DistinctiveElongated snout; earthy brown and grey camouflage
HabitatArid/semi-arid regions; central and western Australia; open woodlands, shrublands, grasslands
AdaptationsFast runner—often on hind legs; arm-waving “ta-ta” display for cooling and communication

Life in the Wild

  • Habitat: Found across Australia’s dry heartlands, often basking on sun-warmed rocks.
  • Locomotion: Not just a sprinter—these lizards have been caught running on their back legs à la mini-dinosaur!
  • Lifespan: Several years in the wild (though precise figures vary due to environmental factors and predation).

Diet and Ecological Role

  • Food: Primarily insectivorous, feasting on insects and arthropods.
  • Benefit: Helps keep insect populations in check—doing their ecological bit like tiny pest control agents.

Breeding and Reproduction

  • Season: Warmer months.
  • Eggs: Females lay clutches in secure burrows or under rocks.
  • Hatchlings: Emerge after several weeks, miniature versions ready to scamper.

Communication & Behaviour

  • Vocalisations: Silent by nature—
  • Body Language: Famous for the “ta-ta” wave—a raised forelimb signal, which:
    • Communicates with other lizards (possibly territorial or social cues)
    • Helps regulate body temperature (lifting limbs off hot surfaces)

Cultural Significance

  • Indigenous Culture: Features in stories and artworks, underscoring a deep connection between people and the land.

Conservation Status

  • Current Status: Not endangered.
  • Potential Threats: Habitat loss, climate change (as with so much of Australia’s unique fauna).

Fun Fact

Did you know? The “ta-ta” in their name comes straight from their limb-waving gesture, which looks like the lizard is bidding you a polite farewell. 

Photo Gallery

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