Koolan Island Zoological notes 
255 
low open savanna woodland of Eucalyptus and 
Terminalia over Triodia hummock grassland 
with patches of leaf litter on red clay loam with 
scattered sandstone (Pky) boulders (R115709). 
Cyclodomorphus (= Omolepida) maximus. Only 10 
individuals were seen over 12 years (by N.L.). 
All were seen in town during the wet season, 
either crossing the road, as road kills or in 
gardens. The W.A. Museum has two specimen 
records from the late 1980’s. 
Glaphyromorphus (Sphenomorphus) isolepis. There are 
three records from Koolan. One was under 
rubbish in the townsite (R114464, Aug. 1992). 
Two were found in garden compost in town 
(R115711 -2, Feb. 1993). 
Tiliqua sciticoides. Observed at the edge of town in 
savanna woodland on sandstone, feeding on 
fallen ripe mangoes in town gardens, and 
drinking at bird baths (N.L., pers. obs.). Eight 
young were taken from a female "road kill" 
(January). The six that were still alive were 
hand-reared and released by L.F. 
Varanidae 
Varanus acanthurus. Four records. Three in 1986. 
The fourth was under sandstone rocks on sandy 
soil in the savanna woodland in the island's 
central plateau north of the mine site (R115715, 
Feb. 93). There are three other records from 
1986. 
Varanus glehopalma. The most commonly seen 
monitor on the island. It lived in the savanna 
woodlands, vine thickets, and in town where it 
was often seen drinking at bird baths and fish 
ponds. One was seen killing and eating a Green 
Tree Snake ( Dendrolaphis punctulatus). The W.A. 
Museum has one specimen collected in 1966. 
Varanus glauerti. Seen in savanna woodlands at the 
edge of town and in town gardens (N.L., pers. 
obs.). A sub-adult was rescued from a "Golden 
Orb Weaver's" web. 
Boidae 
Aspidites mclanoccplmlus. During his June 1965 visit, 
W.H. Butler was shown photographs of several 
snakes from Koolan. According to his 
unpublished field notes (lodged in the W.A. 
Museum), one was of a Black-headed Python. 
Morelia childreni. Three records between 1966 and 
1982 (R29142, 41506 and 106028). The May 1972 
record (R41506) was caught by R.E. Johnstone 
at night on a road through a savanna woodland 
of Eucalyptus miniata and Callitris intratropica on 
the edge of town. 
Liasis olivaceus. The most commonly seen snake on 
Koolan (L.F. and N.L., pers. obs.). Observed on 
roads at night and in the savanna woodlands. 
especially down gullies near temporary 
waterholes. Sometimes found in buildings. 
Often foraged arboreally: seen in eucalypts such 
as Eucalyptus miniata, and twice heard falling to 
the ground under the Mango tree (Mangifera 
indica ) behind Lee Fontanini's house, having 
caught a flying fox ( Pteropus alecto). Also preyed 
on birds drinking at leaking water bores. Prey 
included Yellow-throated Miner, Double-barred 
Finch, and domestic pets such as caged birds 
and Guinea Pigs. 
Colubridae 
Boiga fusca ornata (= irregularis). Observed in 
savanna woodlands, vine thicket (once), town 
gardens and at night as it crossed roads. The 
W.A. Museum has one Koolan specimen, 
collected in 1967. 
Dendrolaphis punctulatus. Found in gardens, inside 
houses and as it crossed roads at night. Also 
observed moving through savanna of Eucalyptus 
miniata over hummock grass on sandstone 
scree, and in vine thicket (N.L., pers. obs.). The 
W.A. Museum has three records of the Green 
Tree Snake, spanning the years 1966 to 1981. 
Elapidae 
Furina ornata. Found on roads, in town gardens and 
in the savanna woodlands. The four specimens 
in the W.A. Museum were all collected after 
1979. 
Acanthophus praelongus. Found in town gardens and 
in the savanna woodlands. On warm nights 
they were seen crossing roads and lying on 
concrete paths. The W.A. Museum holds five 
Death Adders from Koolan Island. One was 
received in October 1966 and the other four are 
dated 8 August 1970. 
Oxyuranus scutellatus. The W.A. Museum has three 
specimens of Tiapan from Koolan, one sub¬ 
adult and two adults. The species was first 
collected in 1984 (R91244) as a road-kill in town. 
In 1985, an adult was killed by a dog in town 
(R106029). Two other adults have been found in 
open savanna woodland of eucalypts over 
Acacia shrubs and grasses on sandstone 
(R103731, road-kill, late 1980's). All three adults 
were recorded on particularly hot days (N.L., 
pers. obs.). 
Pseudechis australis. Recorded on roads at night, in 
town, and in the savanna woodlands of 
eucalypts, Callitris, Acacia shrubs and grasses on 
sandstone surfaces. The WAM's eight "King 
Brown" specimens from Koolan were recorded 
between 1966 and 1986. They are small and 
brownish (L.A. Smith, pers. comm.). 
Demansia papuensis melaena. One Greater Black 
Whipsnake in August 1974 (R47684). There are 
no habitat data. 
