The sandplains lining our Western Australian coastline are celebrated for their high floristic diversity. Less well known is the impressive variety of scaly residents these areas contain. In the Perth region alone, you may encounter some 70 species of reptiles and 16 frogs! many of which remain poorly known, living right beneath our feet.

The term fossorial refers to animals adapted for burrowing, spending the vast majority of their lives underground. With no shortage of sandy coastline in WA, there is an unmatched diversity of fascinating subterranean snakes, lizards and frogs hidden beneath the surface.

Danny Melville is an amateur herpetologist, passionate naturalist and new member of the WA Naturalists’ Club. During his presentation, he will discuss the biology and evolution of fossorial reptiles, introduce a range of species found across Western Australia, and explore why these often-overlooked members of our unique fauna may be under serious threat.

The presentation will feature images captured on Danny’s field trips, offering a glimpse into the rarely seen world of fossorial reptiles and amphibians.