There are very few specimens (around 20), but six of these have
been collected in the past decade or so, despite an enormous
increase in the number of people visiting its range in four-
wheel drive vehicles. Maxwell et al.’s (1996) description of two
of the records indicates the importance of chance in obtaining
specimens of this fossorial species. An animal was found on
Talawanna Track west of Cotton Creek, Western Australia, in
October 1995 (Western Australia Museum), having been excavated
by a bulldozer about one metre below the surface. Another came
from near Nifty Mine in March 1996 after it was found nearly
dead on the surface after heavy rain. Habitat and Ecology In
1998 a live specimen was captured on the surface at Punmu in
Rudall River National Park and kept briefly in captivity. Study
of this individual showed that the species has an unusual
metabolism and can vary its body temperature as a probable
adaptation to its fossorial way of life (Withers et al. 2000).
IUCN Red List Assessment Red List Cate