Native Animals History and Science
Ancient Survivors and Keepers of the Sun
Reptiles are among the oldest living inhabitants of Victoria, their ancestry reaching back over 250 million years to the age of the dinosaurs (Warren et al. 1997; Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003). From the basking blue-tongue lizard to the stealthy tiger snake, Victoria’s reptiles have adapted to fire, drought, and ice, embodying resilience through deep time.
For Indigenous peoples, reptiles were far more than creatures of the earth — they were ancestors, teachers, and symbols of law and renewal. Across Victoria, snakes and lizards appear in creation stories, marking the formation of rivers, mountains, and spiritual boundaries (Clark 1990; Clarke 2011). In modern science, reptiles are recognised as vital components of ecosystems, regulating insect and rodent populations and reflecting the health of the environment (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Origins and Deep-Time
Reptiles trace their origins to the Permian and Triassic periods, when early lizard- and snake-like forms emerged as Australia was still part of the supercontinent Gondwana (Warren et al. 1997). Fossil evidence from the Cretaceous (145–66 million years ago) shows a diversity of ancient reptiles — including marine mosasaurs, turtles, and early crocodiles — living in the warm inland seas that once covered parts of Victoria (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003).
During the Miocene epoch (23–5 million years ago), as Australia’s climate became drier, modern lineages such as skinks, geckos, and elapid snakes began to dominate. Adaptations like heat regulation, venom, and burrowing behaviour allowed reptiles to flourish in grasslands and woodlands (Archer & Wade 1976; Flannery 1994). Today, more than 100 native reptile species inhabit Victoria, from alpine skinks to coastal dragons — descendants of a lineage that has survived every climatic upheaval since deep time (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Deep-Time and Cultural Timeline
The story of reptiles in Victoria begins in the Triassic period (250–200 million years ago), when the first true reptiles evolved on Gondwana’s ancient plains (Warren et al. 1997). By the Cretaceous (145–66 million years ago), diverse species of lizards, turtles, and crocodiles thrived in Victoria’s warm swamps and estuaries (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003). During the Pleistocene (2.6 million–10,000 years ago), reptiles adapted to cooler Ice Age conditions, occupying refuges in volcanic plains, valleys, and coastal dunes.
For over 40,000 years, Indigenous peoples of Victoria have recognised reptiles as part of their law and kinship systems. Snakes, in particular, hold profound spiritual significance — representing creation, water, and transformation (Clark 1990; Clarke 2011). Before 1788, reptiles were understood through ecological observation and ceremony: snakes indicated the movement of water and heat; lizards reflected seasonal rhythms and fertility (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023).
During the colonial era (1798–1900), many reptiles were collected for study or killed out of fear (Abbott 2008). By the 20th century, scientific understanding began to replace superstition, and reptiles were recognised for their ecological roles (Woinarski et al. 2014). Today, conservation, Indigenous cultural renewal, and habitat protection ensure that these ancient survivors continue to hold their place in both nature and story.
Ecology and Diversity
Victoria’s reptiles occupy nearly every environment — from alpine slopes to dry grasslands and coastal dunes (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Major groups include:
Skinks (Family Scincidae): The most diverse group; species such as the Common Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) and Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti) thrive in forests and suburban habitats (Abbott 2008).
Geckos (Family Gekkonidae): Nocturnal climbers with adhesive toes, found in rocky outcrops and arid areas (Flannery 1994).
Dragons (Family Agamidae): Including the Jacky Dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus), known for territorial displays and rapid head-bobbing (Flannery 1994).
Snakes (Family Elapidae): Highly venomous species such as the Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) and Eastern Brown (Pseudonaja textilis), alongside harmless pythons (Warren et al. 1997).
Turtles: The Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) inhabits rivers and wetlands, playing a role in aquatic food webs (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003).
Reptiles regulate insect populations, disperse seeds through feeding, and act as prey for birds of prey and mammals — linking land and water ecosystems through their cycles of activity and dormancy (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Reptiles in Indigenous Knowledge and Culture
In Victorian Indigenous knowledge systems, reptiles are woven deeply into Country and law (Clark 1990; Clarke 2011).
Creation and transformation: In many stories, giant ancestral snakes, such as the Bunjil Gurrung (water serpent), carved rivers and formed landscapes.
Seasonal indicators: The emergence of snakes from hibernation marked the warming months and renewal of food sources (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023).
Totemic beings: Reptile totems linked families and clans to particular tracts of Country, carrying responsibilities for care and ceremony (Clark 1990).
Cultural symbolism: Lizards symbolised persistence and protection; turtles represented endurance and the life-giving nature of water (Clarke 2011).
Aboriginal language names such as gurranggi (snake) and ngarrin (lizard) appear across Kulin and Gunditjmara dialects, reflecting deep familiarity and respect for these animals (Clark 1990).
Reptiles on Wadawurrung Country
On Wadawurrung Country, spanning the Bellarine Peninsula, Ballarat, and the volcanic plains, reptiles have been integral to ecological balance and cultural stories (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023).
Snakes, particularly the Tiger Snake, are regarded with reverence — not as threats, but as spiritual protectors of waterways and sacred sites. Lizards such as blue-tongues were noted for their burrowing habits, seen as guardians of the soil. The movement of turtles through wetlands such as Lake Connewarre signalled seasonal shifts and the abundance of food (Clark 1990).
Wadawurrung oral traditions speak of serpents guarding waterholes, reminding people to respect the power of the natural world — teachings that align with modern conservation ethics and environmental stewardship.
Colonial Impact and Scientific Discovery
European settlement brought both fear and fascination toward reptiles. Many species were killed as “vermin” or collected for natural history museums (Abbott 2008). Habitat destruction, wetland drainage, and introduced predators caused steep declines in turtle and lizard populations.
However, early naturalists such as John Gould and Gerard Krefft documented Victorian reptiles in the 19th century, providing the foundations for modern herpetology (Warren et al. 1997). From the late colonial period onward, reptiles began to transition from feared creatures to scientifically valued species.
Modern Science and Conservation
Modern research recognises reptiles as vital to biodiversity and climate stability. They are indicators of ecosystem health — highly sensitive to temperature, pollution, and land degradation (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Research and monitoring: Conservation programs now protect vulnerable species such as the Glossy Grass Skink (Pseudemoia rawlinsoni) and the Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) (Woinarski et al. 2014).
Habitat protection: Restoration of native grasslands and wetland corridors supports reptile recovery (Flannery 1994).
Cultural partnerships: Indigenous fire and land management practices are integrated into conservation frameworks, reinforcing reciprocal care for Country (Wadawurrung TOAC 2023).
Reptiles also contribute to climate studies: their temperature-dependent physiology helps scientists understand the biological impacts of global warming (Archer & Wade 1976).
Symbolism and Meaning
Reptiles carry layered meanings across culture and ecology:
In Indigenous law: They represent transformation, respect, and the cycles of renewal (Clarke 2011).
In science: They are evolutionary marvels — survivors from the age of dinosaurs (Rich & Vickers-Rich 2003).
In modern identity: Reptiles symbolise endurance, adaptability, and balance between the elemental forces of land and life (Flannery 1994).
Their presence across Victoria — basking on rocks or gliding through wetlands — connects modern landscapes to ancient time, where science and story converge.
Conclusion
Reptiles are among Victoria’s most ancient and enduring species — survivors of mass extinctions, ice ages, and human impact. In both Indigenous culture and modern science, they embody balance: between earth and fire, stillness and motion, survival and change.
From the winding serpent in Dreaming stories to the quiet flicker of a lizard in suburban gardens, reptiles remind us that deep time is alive within Country. Protecting them means safeguarding not only biodiversity but also the ancient wisdom that binds people, spirit, and land together.
References
Abbott, I. (2008). Historical Perspectives of Herpetology in Southern Australia. Western Australian Naturalist.
Archer, M., & Wade, M. (1976). Herpetofauna of the Australian Cretaceous. CSIRO, Canberra.
Clark, I.D. (1990). Aboriginal Languages and Clans: An Historical Atlas of Western and Central Victoria, 1800–1900. Monash University, Melbourne.
Clarke, P.A. (2011). Australian Indigenous Ethnobotany: An Overview. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Flannery, T. (1994). The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People. Reed Books, Sydney.
Rich, T.H. & Vickers-Rich, P. (2003). Dinosaurs of Darkness. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.
Warren, A., et al. (1997). Fossil Amphibians and Reptiles of Victoria. Museum Victoria.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (2023). Cultural Knowledge and Country Resources, Geelong.
Woinarski, J.C.Z., et al. (2014). The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles 2014. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Written, Researched and Directed by James Vegter 16/09/2025
Magic Lands Alliance
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Magic Lands Alliance acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia and internationally. We honour their enduring connection to the sky, land, waters, language, and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and to all First Peoples communities and language groups. This article draws only on publicly available information; many cultural practices remain the intellectual property of communities.