Kyabram Fauna Park’s Winton and Hope are the two loved-up lizards who have bonded for life.
They may be cold-blooded, but their romance is warming hearts across the park.
Kyabram Fauna Park keeper Courtney Snelson said shingleback lizards were one of the only monogamous reptile species, meaning these lizard lovers were locked in for life.
“Visitors can see Hope and Winton strolling together, hanging underneath the logs and digging under the ground in their recently renovated Skink Pit,” she said.
“Particularly during warmer days, they’re very active, being a very cute little couple.”
There are 10 lizards at the Skink Pit, with a mix of shingleback lizards and blotched blue-tongue lizards.
Winton is protective of his love, going as far as to fight for Hope by challenging the males by pushing or nudging them.
Ms Snelson said shinglebacks gave birth to large young, and they could live up to 50 years.
“They have huge babies for their size — it would be the equivalent to a human giving birth to a seven-year-old,” she said.
Shinglebacks’ tails store fat, allowing them to survive for months without food after a good season.
They have armour-like scales to help protect them from predators and harsh conditions, making them one of Australia’s hardiest lizards.
If you’d like to see the happy couple, you can find Winton and Hope at Kyabram Fauna Park’s Skink Pit from 10am to 5pm every day.
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