Alice Springs Desert Park is a world class showcase of Australian desert flora and fauna, and its natural setting brings in a variety of local wildlife in addition to the captive species. On a blisteringly hot day, we saw several of these attractive and speedy lizards patrolling the grounds.

This species has been reclassified several times in recent years. Wilson & Knowles listed this species in the genus Gemmataphora; Cogger listed it in the genus Lophognathus.

Here is a complete list of the reptiles and frogs I saw on this trip to Australia.

These lizards have ridiculously long tails, and this one's was swaying back and forth in the warm desert breeze as it basked on a post marking the trail.

I'm thinking they should consider renaming this species "long-tailed dragon". The nose is indeed fairly long, but the tail is what really impresses me.

This long nose-and-tailed dragon was basking in the late afternoon sun on the grounds of the Kalbarri Palm Resort, where we stayed for a couple of nights.

Here is a complete list of the reptiles and frogs I saw on this trip to Western Australia.

Another impressive specimen of this attractive species. This guy was basking on some rocks near the banks of the Murchison River.