Identification
The Nobbi Dragon is similar in many ways to the Jacky Lizard: it is similar in length and weight (about 80 millimetres snout vent) and its ear membranes and nostrils are similarly conspicuous. However, there are several key characteristics which make Nobbi Dragons easily to distinguish from Jacky Lizards.
A male Nobbi Dragon, Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri, Lake Albacutya, Victoria.
Photographer: Peter Robertson / Source: Wildlife Profiles
The scales of Nobbi Dragons are not as variable as those of Jacky Lizards and they tend to be lighter in colour. Nobbi Dragons have a distinctive stripe along their backs which is often pale-coloured or even yellow (but can have darker patches). The back part of the lizard (rump and tail) is often tinged with pink or red and the inside of the mouth is pink.
There is considerable variation in colour patterns in the Nobbi Dragon. Two sub-species are recognised in Australia, but only the Western subspecies Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri is found in Victoria. Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri is found south and west of the Warrambungle Mountains (only just dipping into the north-west corner of Victoria). The other subspecies Amphibolurus nobbi nobbi occurs from northern New South Wales to the coast and ranges of south-eastern Queensland.
A female Western Nobbi Dragon, Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri, outside her burrow, Hattah, Victoria.
Photographer: Peter Robertson. Source: Wildlife Profiles
Biology and other information
Like Jacky Lizards, Nobbi Dragons feed mainly on insects. These lizards are often seen basking on fallen logs, fence posts and rocks and are fairly familiar to people as they do not run for cover readily. It is suggested that their numbers are decreasing in some areas due to human activity (farming).
Distribution and Habitat
This lizard occurs from north-western Victoria through central New South Wales to inland and south-eastern Queensland. Its habitat extends to drier areas than does that of the Jacky Lizard.
The distribution of the Nobbi Dragon in Victoria
Source: Museum Victoria (www.museum.vic.gov.au/bioinformatics)
Further Reading
Cogger H. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books.
Wilson S. & Swan G. 2003. Reptiles of Australia. Princeton University Press.