Hold your breath: Observations of the endangered pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis) submerged in flooded burrows

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding adaptations to extreme weather events by endangered species is critical to inform conservation decisions, particularly when their adaptations relate to artificial habitat supplementation at translocation sites. Apnoea, temporary suspension of breathing, has been observed as an anti‐predator adaptation by semi‐aquatic reptiles that dive underwater for periods of time to avoid detection. This study reports on the observations of an endangered grassland skink, the pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis), remaining submerged in rain‐induced flooded artificial burrows at an experimental translocation site.