This is a selection of online and print media featuring our study animals and our research. Some of our study animals, mainly the Augrabies flat lizard, have also appeared in several documentaries. Most recent media is at top of the page.

Documentaries

See the Augrabies flat lizard on the BBC on Planet Earth (Deserts), Life in Cold Blood (Dragons of the Dry) and Attenborough’s Life in Colour (2020).

We knew we had made it big when the Augrabies flat lizard appeared on the Colbert Report!

Check out in situ Science’s amazing documentary on Julia Riley and the tree skink project in Albury, New South Wales. This was put together by the amazing Dr. James O’ Hanlon.

Ep 66. Lizard brains, Sir David and Winnie the dog with Martin Whiting. The amazing Dr. James O’Hanlon’s in situ Science’s podcast. 

Our work on frilled lizards (led by Christian Alessandro Perez-Martinez) was featured in Australian Geographic. It includes a great photo by Christian.

Check out this fantastic short clip on blue-tongue skinks was made by the Australian Academy of Sciences and is on their web site here: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianAcademyofScience/videos/1911700562186714/

New York Times 

Our work was featured in a piece in the New York Times: Who knew reptiles could be such romantics? 

Tree skinks store sperm

Article in the Macquarie Lighthouse: Sperm-storing tree skinks are ‘secret swingers’: new research

Featured on Dutch TV Science Show Atlas: The piece about the skinks is at 21:14.

Alexis Oetterer blog for American Genetic Association: Sperm storage as a novel phenomenon in Tree Skinks

Function of head flaps in toad-headed agamas

New Scientist: Lizard unfurls its face like a flower as a way to scare off predators.

Rankings of scientists in Australia

The Australian: Our top researchers in Life Sciences and Earth Sciences

Colour evolution in chameleons

Cosmos magazine: Chameleons get brighter when they don’t have to deal with predators

New Scientist: Kenyan chameleons evolved brighter colours after moving to Hawaii

Coffee Table Science interview about chameleon study

ABC Radio Melbourne 7 pm Friday night show, Devi Stuart-Fox interview.

Investigating how lizards learn

An interview about the lab’s research on lizard cognition

Baby bluetongue skinks learn fast

Australian research finds little lizards learn very quickly – Phys.org. July 2019.

Baby blue-tongues are born smart – Science Daily. July 2019.

Baby blue-tongues are born smart – Macquarie University Newsroom. July 2019.

Think you were born smart? ANU research shows that blue-tongue lizards really are – The Riotact. July 2019.

Reptilian street smarts: Baby blue-tongue lizards match their elders, because they need to – Cosmos Magazine. July 2019.

Lizard smarts: baby blue-tongues born clever – CSIRO blog. July 2019.

Baby blue-tongues are born smart – Get Stem. 2019.

Baby blue-tongue are born smart – Petridish. July 2019. 

Social learning in wall lizards

“Social learning” may be helping invasive species thrive worldwide: Aussie research – Asia and Pacific News. October 2018.

“Watch and learn,” says the lizard to the other lizard – Scimex. 7 October 2018.

Learning from Others May Help Invasive Species Adapt – Psychology Today. December 2018.

Fortune favours the bold – Macquarie University Newsroom. April 2019.

Animal culture matters for conservation

Extensive coverage: Altmetric scores here. February 2019.

Why animal culture matters for conservation: a roadmap – Mirage News. April 2021.

Why animal culture matters for conservation – The University of Auckland. April 2021.

Animal culture should be included in conservation efforts – Physorg. April 2021.

Understanding the rich social lives of animals benefits international conservation efforts – Science Daily. February 2019.

Conservation Depends on Preserving Animal Cultures – Psychology Today. December 2019.

How the social lives of animals should form part of our conservation culture – The Conversation, Philippa Brakes. 2019.

Podcast: Philippa Brakes | Animal Culture and Conservation. April 2020.

Animal culture matters for conservation – X-mol. February 2019.

Funding press release

$1.2M grant to study evolution of Central American lizards – Washington University press release. February 2020.

Behavioural flexibility in lizards 

Subproblem learning in lizards – St. Andrews University, October 2018. 

New flat lizard named for David Attenborough

A new species of colourful African flat lizard has been named after the world renowned naturalist and broadcaster – BBC. July 2015.

Bluetongue skinks have an ultraviolet (UV) tongue

Radio 6PR– in Perth with Gareth Parker 11 June 2018
Phoenix Radio– 14 June 2018
Brisbane Youth Radio– 14 June 2018
Open House (radio) Stephen O’Doherty interviews Martin Whiting 17 June  2018
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue– Springer Nature, reposted: Bioengineer.org, ScienceDaily
Australian lizard uses its long, ultra-violet tongue to scare off predators– MSN News
National Geographic: This Lizard Has a Blue, Ultraviolet Tongue—Here’s Why– National Geographic
Pour se défendre, un lézard australien tire une langue… bleue– Article in Le Monde
Ätsch, bätsch – Echse streckt Angreifern die Zunge raus– Article in Spiegel
Why are bluetongue lizard tongues blue?– Australia’s Science Channel
Australian lizard uses electric blue tongue to ward off predators– UPI United Press International
Australian Lizard Uses Its Long, Ultra-Violet Tongue To Scare Off Predators– Newstimes
The blue-tongued skink scares away predators with its horrific UV tongue– Mother Nature Network
Australian Lizard Uses Its Long, Ultra-Violet Tongue To Scare Off Predators– SF Gate
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators– Mashable Australia
Australian Lizard’s Bright UV Tongue Scares Away Predators; Watch Video of Electric Blue-tongued Skink!– Latest LY
To Scare Off Predators, These Lizards Stick Their Tongues Out– Discover Magazine
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue (News)– PressCute.com
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– Redland City Bulletin
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– Jimboomba Times
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– Beaudesert Times
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– The Herald
Why so blue? New research sheds light on why our iconic blue-tongue lizards have such colourful tongues– Macquarie University Newsroom
Moody blues: lizards avoid predation by scaring the hell out of predators– Cosmos – the science of everything
When under attack, skink exposes its entire blue tongue– From so simple a beginning (blog)
Echse schreckt mit blauer „UV-Zunge“ – Science ORF.at
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– The Land
Australian skinks will literally stick their tongues out at predators — and it works!– ZME Science
The Blue-Tongue Skink’s Tongue Is Blue To Ward Off Predators, Study Says– Reptiles Magazine
Skinks use blue tails and tongues to trick attacking predators– 2 new things
This Lizard Has a Blue, Ultraviolet Tongue—Here’s Why– The Halaal Chef
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– North Queensland Register
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue– Farmonline
Badass lizard freaks out predators with UV tongue– NAHead.com
Badass lizard freaks out predators with UV tongue– All of it – Breaking and viral stories and news
Haut-la-langue!– Read a short piece about the bluey study, in French, available from 11 July 2018.
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – AsiaResearchNews
Why do blue tongue lizards have a blue tongue? – BendigoAdvertiser
Australian lizard uses electric blue tongue to ward off predators – Breitbart
Why do blue tongue lizards have a blue tongue? – BunburyMail
Badass lizard blue tongue skink freaks out predators with ultra-violet tongue – Cnet
Moody blues lizards avoid predation by scaring the hell out of predators – CosmosMagazine
Ultraviolette Zunge soll Feinde abschrecken – DerStandard
Bluetongue skink stick tongue out uv – Discover
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators – EnvironmentGuru.com
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – EurekAlert
Badass lizard blue tongue skink freaks out predators with UV tongue – F3News
Why do blue tongue lizards have a blue tongue? – GoulburnPost
Blue-tongue lizards have a super power – Hope1032
Why do blue tongue lizards have a blue tongue? – IllawarraMercury
Australian lizard uses electric blue tongue to ward off predators – Infosurhoy
This lizard’s blue tongue turns ultraviolet to scare off predators – International Business Times
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – LongRoomNews
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators – Mashable
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators – OKInternational
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – Phys.org
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – ScienMag
Badass lizard drives crazy predators with UV tongue – Tech2
Why so blue? New research sheds light on why our iconic blue-tongue lizards have such colourful tongues – TechnologyOrg
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue – TheAdvocate
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue – TheBorderMail
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue – TheHerald
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue – TheInverellTimes
Research finds why blue-tongue lizards have a blue-tongue – TheNorthWestStar
Australian lizard scares away predators with ultra-violet tongue – TheSyriaTimes
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators – ViralTrends
Echse vertreibt Feinde mit Zungerausstrecken – 20Minuten
Echse vertreibt Feinde mit Zungerausstrecken – Heute
Abschreckung: Echse zeigt Feinden blaue Zunge – Kurier
Echse schreckt mit blauer Zunge Angreifer ab – Liechtenstensteiner Vaterland
Echse schreckt mit blauer „UV-Zunge“ Angreifer ab – Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung
Echse schockt mit blauer “UV-Zunge” – N-Tv
Echse zeigt dem feind die blaue zunge – SalzburgerNachrichten (Print)
Doppelter Schock durch UV-Zunge – Spektrum
Ätsch, bätsch – Echse streckt Angreifern die Zunge raus – SpiegelOnline
Echse schreckt mit blauer «UV-Zunge» Angreifer ab – WestdeutscheZeitung
Lizard’s bright UV tongue helps to scare off predators – Yahoo
Echse streckt Feinden Zunge heraus – ZDF
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe dọa kẻ thù – Baomoi (Vietnamese)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – Daidoanket (Vietnamese)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – GiaoductHoidai (Vietnamese)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – Khoahoc (Vietnamese)
Le scinque à langue bleue, lézard à la langue ultraviolette – NationalGeographic (French)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – NetNews (Vietnamese)
Asusta a tu predador, evita la muerte – Taringa (Spanish)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – ThoibaoToday (Vietnamese)
Khi bị tấn công, thằn lằn bóng lưỡi xanh lè chiếc lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại làm kẻ thù khiếp sợ để có cơ hội chạy thoát – VnCity (Vietnamese)
Loài vật lưỡi phản chiếu tia tử ngoại đe doạ kẻ thù – VnExpress (Vietnamese)
A surprising strategy – Biosphere magazine ISSN 2059-0296 Issue 33, pp. 40-50 full-colour spread.

Dynamic colour change in frogs
Male frogs change colour before battling for mates– Nature research highlights
The Color-Changing Marvel of Tree Frogs Looking for Love– Smithsonian.com
Oh this old thing? Frogs change it up when it comes to mating– Macquarie University Newsroom
This dance is taken: Hundreds of male frog species change colors around mating time – Science Daily
Males from hundreds of frog species change colour to attract the opposite sex– International Business Times
Male frogs change colour during wild reptilian orgies– New York Post (Apparently they did not realise frogs are amphibians.)

Social learning in lizards (Eulamprus quoyii)
Social learning: birds do it, bees do it, and apparently, lizards do too – Macquarie University Newsroom
Reposting of Macquarie news release – World News.com

Learning and personality in lizards (Eulamprus quoyii)
Sex, skinks and personality – University of Oxford science blog
Sex and personality influence lizard’s learning – The Conversation
Personality and sex explain learning ability in a lizard – Daily News: Breaking News
Personality and sex explain learning ability in a lizard. This is good news, if you’re a lizard – FARK.com
Personality and sex explain learning ability in a lizard – Phys Org
Learning in Lizards – Evolution Shorts: evolution and evolutionary biologists in the natural world
Personality and sex explain learning ability in a lizard (Macquarie University) – World News.com

Alternate reproductive tactics in lizards (Eulamprus quoyii)
New study finds that male lizards use different tactics to win the ladies – Phys Org
New study finds that male lizards use different tactics to win the ladies – Macquarie University Newsroom

Frillneck lizards
Researchers find lizards’ frilled neck is more than just for show – Macquarie University Newsroom
Frill Color Linked with Fighting Abilities for Australia’s Iconic Lizard – Nature World News
Lizards’ Frilled Neck Predicts Fighting Ability – Laboratory Equipment
The Brighter the Frilled Lizard’s Frill, the More Likely it Wins a Battle – Reptile Channel.com
Researchers find lizards’ frilled neck is more than just for show – Phys Org

Learning in lizards
Research finds that lizards are fast learners – Phys.Org
Lizards are smarter than they look – ABC Science
Lizards learn faster than previously thought – Reptile Channel.com
Research finds that lizards are fast learners – Macquarie University Newsroom
Podcast by the Reptile Living Room

Social environment and learning in tree skinks

This work was also mentioned on 2SM Radio Sydney.
Read about it on Physorg.
Read about it on Technology.org.
Read about it in the Macquarie University newsroom.

Water dragon project
James Baxter-Gilbert was interviewed by Dr. James O’Hanlon of in situ Science about his water dragon work and other exciting things. Listen here.

Mole-rat cognition
Mole-rats varied life boosts the brain – ABC Science
New research finds activity and stimulation the key to keeping us sharp – Macquarie University Newsroom

Cane toad cognition
Cane toads in a maze – ABC Rural

Flat lizard visual system
Lizards found to send secret signals – Australian Geographic
Blinded by the light: lizard uses UV signals to ward off rivals – Macquarie University Newsroom
A subtle way to keep trouble at bay – Postgrad News Science (MQ University)

Flat lizards and UV
Fight Light – report in Science (AAAS)
The light of love – New York Times
Pick on someone duller than you – New Scientist
Des couleurs plus dissuasives que de gros biscoteaux – French article on flat lizard UV
Lizard uses UV signals to ward off rivals – PhysOrg.com

Polyandrous foam nest frogs
Harmonious orgy is winning formula for frogs – Australian Geographic
Promiscuity pays in the frog world – Physorg.com
Promiscuity pays – if you’re a frog – Macquarie University Newsroom
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – India Talkies
Promiscuity pays in the frog world – iFrog
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Prokerala News
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Thaindian News
Promiscous frogs reap benefits – Science Alerts
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Texas State News
Promiscuity pays if you’re a frog – Campus Daily
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – News One
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – South Dakota State News
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – newKerala.com
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Bollywood Chaska
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Mathrubhumi
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Yahoo! News
Promiscuity pays – Frog Forum
Offspring of promiscuous frogs have better survival rates – Knoxville Times

Female mimicry in flat lizards
Lizard she-males get ahead – Science alert
Lizards Disguise as Females to Avoid Attack – Discovery Channel
Sexual deceit helps lady-boy lizards mate – ABC Science
Ladyboy lizards use transvestite trickery: researchers – AFP
Pretenders bob up in lizard mating game – The Canberra Times
Transvestite Lizards Imitate Females – Suite 101.com
World Briefs – Ladyboy lizards use transvestite trickery – Times of Malta

Flat lizards use heterospecific cues
Follow that bird – New Scientist

General articles on flat lizards
Profile for Discovery Channel (Select ‘Deserts’ tab and then click on lizard picture) or download the PDF
Flat lizard research – Pretoria Magazine

Comments/quotes about research findings
Sleepy lizards and ticks – ABC news. February 2020.