one healthy lizard

After five weeks of treatment and specialist care at Kanyana Wildlife hospital, this bobtail came home looking like a different lizard.  Instead of the lethargy of a typical bobtail 'flu victim, it was alert, active and showing a good defensive response.  The eyes were clear and bright.  And look at those glossy scales and that lovely fat tail!

                     AFTER TREATMENT

                     AFTER TREATMENT

Here's the photo from the original post "one sick bobtail" (28th September), plus a close-up of the tail in its emaciated state, so you can see the difference that treatment made to this reptile.

                     BEFORE TREATMENT

                     BEFORE TREATMENT

Kudos to Kanyana Wildlife for brilliant work in their treatment and care of native animals.  You too can help out our native animals by following Kanyana's first aid for wildlife guidelines, becoming a volunteer carer, or by donation.

one sick lizard

On a recent expedition, someone found a very sick bobtail lizard in bushland.  It was emaciated, with a skinny flat tail where it should have a big lumpy fatty one.  Although the weather was reasonably warm, the lizard was lethargic and slow-moving.  No hissing, no wide-mouthed threat display; no defensive response at all.  Instead, half-closed eyes, and a general disinterest in its surroundings.  (Exactly how I feel when I have the 'flu.)  Off to the vet with you!

Poor bobtail was taken to Kanyana Wildlife Hospital for some expert care and attention.  You can read about the treatment they give to bobtail flu victims on this link.  

Bobtails, also known as sleepy lizards, pinecone lizards, blue-tongues and shinglebacks, are one of the most commonly-encountered reptiles in the bush.  They have the appearance of a  slow-moving mini dinosaur. They are not venomous, but their strong jaws are designed for crushing invertebrates so they can give a hard bite.  Sometimes they can be found in gardens, where they can thrive and do a brilliant job of keeping the snails and slugs under control.  Read more about bobtails here.

If our lizard recovers, it will be brought home to be released in its local bushland home, close to where it came from.