I would like to thank Satterley, developers of the Catalina development in Perth’s northern suburbs for caring enough to allow for some precious plants and animals to be removed prior to the machines moving in. In conjunction with the grass tree people at Replants I spent several days walking around eagled eyed for any fauna that could be recovered as the bushes and trees where heaped into piles for mulching.

The juvenile monitor lizard pictured was actually caught by the dozer driver who spotted some Ravens attacking it and swooping around it in the air. Fortunately and somewhat remarkably it was caught unharmed, kept warm for a couple of days and released into Star Swamp bushland where I hope it’s enjoying a new lease of life.

As these photos show, at least some species got a second chance to live to maturity. I am sure they are smiling for the camera.

These snakes are found throughout the Perth region, but usually die off in developed and disturbed areas. Yanchep National Park amongst others have populations of this efficient predator that feeds on a variety of prey including lizards, but specialising in mammals and birds, so from mice to wallabies, doves to parrots. In turn they are preyed upon especially when young by feral cats and foxes. Food is swallowed whole and they mainly eat during spring and summer, hiding away for several months in the cooler winter in old tree hollows or rocky outcroppings.

Carpet Pythons can occasionally reach 2.5 – 3m in length and weigh between 1 and 5 kilos. Mating occurs during the spring months and eggs are laid around 2 months later. These are guarded closely by the female and eventually hatch around 60 days later. Parental care ceases at this time and the hatchlings are independent from this moment on and at their most susceptible to predation until they have a few months of feeding under their belt. The first year sees phenomenal growth rates and they can reach over a metre in length in a matter of months.

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Fast-forward to the 1980s and the population had dropped to around 30 specimens. Dr Gerald Kuchling initiated a captive breeding programme and Perth Zoo now study, breed and release these rare reptiles back into protected reserves in the Swan Valley.

At a recent event the Minister for the Environment Albert Jacob paid tribute to conservation efforts to save this endemic (only found locally) species. I was there and was very fortunate to meet turtle Number 4, the 4th turtle to be radio tracked all those years ago. Still going strong at around 65 years of age she is expected to lay another batch of eggs in November.

If you have heard about this species before it is usually called a tortoise, can’t really say why but Aussies and Americans do have a problem with these common names.

All are classified as Chelonia but in usual English usage I believe there is a difference:

Despite their size their venom is considered to be less toxic than that of the European Honey Bee Apis mellifera. It would appear however that these hornets are attacking in numbers and can sting repeatedly. Three cities Angkang, Hanzhong and Shangluo have been the worst affected.

Milder winters and hot humid summers appear to have led to increased numbers of the Hornets, that coupled with recent urban development into Hornet habitats seems to be the cause for so many fatalities.

Female Giant Hornets can grow to 5cm long and have a 6mm sting (longer than most Australian snake fangs). They occur over a wide area of SE Asia and can be found in parts of Asian Russia, Korea, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and India.