About Pygopus schraderi Boulenger, 1913
The eastern hooded scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi) is the second smallest species in the genus Pygopus. It reaches a maximum snout-vent length of 198mm, and can grow to a total body length of up to 475mm, with females growing larger than males. More than three-quarters of this species' total body length is made up by its tail. When threatened, eastern hooded scaly-foots will readily shed their tails, and can regrow lost tails, meaning their tails may sometimes be shorter than their body. A regrowing tail can be identified by an abrupt change in pattern and scale arrangement. Upper body markings on these lizards range from reddish-brown to pale grey, while their underside is whitish. Symmetrical dark brown to black scales on the top of the lizard's head create a 'hooded appearance'. These head markings closely resemble those of young brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.), though it is not known if this similarity is a result of direct mimicry, or if the pattern functions to help regulate temperature. The species' body scales may have dark edges, which form an overall reticulated or net-like pattern. Individual paler and darker scales can form distinct but irregular V-shaped cross-bands, or sometimes broken longitudinal lines or stripes, most noticeably on the flanks. All of these markings are still present in larger individuals, though they are sometimes only faint. This species has keeled scales, with body scales arranged in 21 to 25 rows (including ventral scales) at mid-body. The eastern hooded scaly-foot has fewer than 120 ventral scales, which are noticeably wider than its adjacent body scales, and its nostril is positioned on the first upper labial scale. The eastern hooded scaly-foot is distributed across inland New South Wales, Victoria, eastern South Australia, inland Queensland, and adjacent parts of the Northern Territory. It occurs in dry to arid zones across a range of open habitats, including stony plains, dry woodlands, arid mallee, mulga scrubs, and spinifex-dominated desert grasslands. It prefers stony and heavy soils, and depends on large, interconnected territories. Because it cannot sustain or rapidly recover from aerobic activity, this species shelters to avoid predation in soil cracks, grass, under debris, and in large burrows. In New South Wales, the eastern hooded scaly-foot is rare in the NSW Murray Catchment, but occurs in areas that support native grasslands and grassy woodlands, particularly in the region bordering the Murrumbidgee Catchment to the north. Within Victoria, the eastern hooded scaly-foot is rarely encountered, and is only known to exist at six sites: Terrick Terrick National Park, Korrack Korrack grasslands, and areas west of Mildura including Lake Ranfurly and Neds Corner Station. The eastern hooded scaly-foot is oviparous. It lays a clutch of two eggs once per year in spring or early summer, though clutches may occasionally be one or three eggs. Breeding occurs from August to March. Pregnant females have been recorded in January and February, and incubation periods range from 66 to 77 days. Species in the genus Pygopus have been observed laying eggs communally. In captivity, few courtship or mating displays have been observed. Males will follow females while repeatedly flicking their tongue. Pelvic spurs, which are modified spine-like scales, and hind-limb 'flaps' on males are thought to help males grip females during mating.
