Bobtail Lizard

Natural Shelter

Bobtail lizards are adaptable to home gardens when they are planted with shrubs, ground covers and a good layer of leaf litter or mulch. Having large rocks, rockeries or logs for basking will not go astray. They are sadly often victims of cat and dog attacks, so plenty hiding areas will help bobtails escape and shelter.

Novel Shelter

Below is a habitat box template for lizards. Ideally, install the box under some shrubs and surrounded by leaf litter. Before you build:

• Nest-boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
• Chipboard is okay, but degrade after a year of use.
• Hardier and untreated timber (i.e. Jarrah) will last longer and are less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
• Keep away from treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
• Avoid using metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder on the inside of the nest-box is much more suitable or grooved timber will work well.
• Maintenance is critical to ensure wildlife remain safe.

Alternatives to a habitat box include large terracotta pipes or up turned pots partially buried under the ground and under shrubs. These mimic hollow logs or crevices under large rocks and provide excellent shelter.

Providing natural sources of food

Bobtails will eat almost anything! From fruits, foliage, to snails, invertebrates, and even frogs! A good layer of mulch with native fruiting plants will provide suitable foraging habitat. Avoid using snail pellets around your yard as this can make them unwell if they eat a poisoned snail.

Providing sources of water

Bobtails will drink from shallow dishes of water and are known to visit frog ponds to drink and bathe. They are at risk of falling into frog ponds and drowning. Partly submerge a large rock with a gradual incline at the edge of a pond. This will provide a Bobtail an easy escape if they fall in.