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Tennant Creek Pebble Dragon (Tympanocryptis rustica)

This recently described species lives life in extreme conditions. Like many other Tympanocrypis, this species can be found active in the hottest parts of the day in the scorching stony deserts upon which they live. Being able to thermoregulate and remain active in the hottest parts of the day allow them to exploit an entire niche for themselves; otherwise occupied by other species at the less-extreme end of the desert days.

 

These individuals were found basking in the mid-afternoon, at 38°C!

 

Tennant Creek, Northern Territory.

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Uploaded on April 4, 2021
Taken on March 27, 2021