Masters' Snake (Drysdalia mastersii)
Victorian Mallee.
A very rare species throughout the far east of its range. So much so that it remained undetected for two decades in the mallee region of western Victoria, despite thorough survey effort by some of the most experienced mallee herpetologists. Extensive and inappropriate 'planned burning' regimes are the cause for the species demise throughout most of its former Victorian distribution. Surveys re-started in 2017 and, incredibly, one individual (deceased) was discovered in a long-unburnt patch of mallee heathlands. Fast forward to 2023, with funding backed by Zoos Victoria's Fighting Extinction project, intensive surveys we have uncovered 5 of these small, elusive elapids. A population genetics study is now underway and surveys will continue to search for new populations.
Masters' Snake (Drysdalia mastersii)
Victorian Mallee.
A very rare species throughout the far east of its range. So much so that it remained undetected for two decades in the mallee region of western Victoria, despite thorough survey effort by some of the most experienced mallee herpetologists. Extensive and inappropriate 'planned burning' regimes are the cause for the species demise throughout most of its former Victorian distribution. Surveys re-started in 2017 and, incredibly, one individual (deceased) was discovered in a long-unburnt patch of mallee heathlands. Fast forward to 2023, with funding backed by Zoos Victoria's Fighting Extinction project, intensive surveys we have uncovered 5 of these small, elusive elapids. A population genetics study is now underway and surveys will continue to search for new populations.