Litchfield National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🦎 Mertens's Water Monitor's Secret Pools
🌍 #162 Global · 3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Oceania #47 in Savanna & Grassland
Australia, Australia 605 spp. recorded

Litchfield National Park is a tropical savanna protected area situated just south of Darwin in Australia's Top End. This landscape features grassy woodlands, sandstone plateaus, and permanent spring-fed waterfalls. Unlike the seasonally dry floodplains found elsewhere in the region, Litchfield is famous for its accessible plunge pools and dense network of walking tracks winding through open eucalypt forests.

-13.167° S   130.780° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Mertens's Water Monitor ★
EN Endemic

Mertens's Water Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus mertensi

80–90% · Very likely
Great Bowerbird ★
LC Endemic

Great Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlamydera nuchalis

40–50% · Likely
Black Flying-fox ★
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
Red-collared Lorikeet
LC Endemic

Red-collared Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus rubritorquis

50–60% · Likely
Spangled Drongo
LC

Spangled Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus bracteatus

50–60% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

50–60% · Likely
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
LC Endemic

Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenotus essingtonii

50–60% · Likely
Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
Brown Tree Snake
LC

Brown Tree Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boiga irregularis

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Black Flying-fox ★
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
Antilopine Kangaroo

Antilopine Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus antilopinus

20–30% · Possible
Little Red Flying Fox
LC Endemic

Little Red Flying Fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus scapulatus

Insufficient data
Black-footed Tree Rat
VU Endemic

Black-footed Tree Rat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Mesembriomys gouldii

Insufficient data
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

Insufficient data
Delicate Mouse
LC

Delicate Mouse

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Pseudomys delicatulus

Insufficient data
Grassland Melomys
LC

Grassland Melomys

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Melomys burtoni

Insufficient data
Short-beaked Echidna
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Insufficient data
Hoary Wattled Bat
LC

Hoary Wattled Bat

Mammal

Chalinolobus nigrogriseus

Insufficient data
Dusky Roundleaf Bat
LC

Dusky Roundleaf Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Hipposideros ater

Insufficient data
Northern Brown Bandicoot
LC

Northern Brown Bandicoot

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Isoodon macrourus

Insufficient data
Sandstone Dibbler
NT Endemic

Sandstone Dibbler

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Pseudantechinus bilarni

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Great Bowerbird ★
LC Endemic

Great Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlamydera nuchalis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
Red-collared Lorikeet
LC Endemic

Red-collared Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus rubritorquis

50–60% · Likely
Spangled Drongo
LC

Spangled Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus bracteatus

50–60% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

50–60% · Likely
Varied Triller
LC

Varied Triller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lalage leucomela

40–50% · Likely
Blue-faced Honeyeater
LC

Blue-faced Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Entomyzon cyanotis

40–50% · Likely
Whistling Kite
LC

Whistling Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur sphenurus

40–50% · Likely
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mertens's Water Monitor ★
EN Endemic

Mertens's Water Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus mertensi

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
LC Endemic

Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenotus essingtonii

50–60% · Likely
Brown Tree Snake
LC

Brown Tree Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boiga irregularis

40–50% · Likely
Burton's Legless Lizard
LC

Burton's Legless Lizard

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lialis burtonis

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Python
LC Endemic

Black-headed Python

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Aspidites melanocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Rough-scaled Death Adder
LC

Rough-scaled Death Adder

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Acanthophis rugosus

40–50% · Likely
Olive Python
LC Endemic

Olive Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Liasis olivaceus

40–50% · Likely
Gilbert's Dragon
LC Endemic

Gilbert's Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lophognathus gilberti

40–50% · Likely
Lined Firetail Skink
LC Endemic

Lined Firetail Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Morethia ruficauda

40–50% · Likely
Common Prickly Gecko
LC Endemic

Common Prickly Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Heteronotia binoei

30–40% · Possible
Children's Python
LC Endemic

Children's Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Antaresia childreni

30–40% · Possible
Mair's Keelback
LC

Mair's Keelback

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidonophis mairii

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Rockhole Frog
LC

Rockhole Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Litoria meiriana

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Cane Toad
LC

Eastern Cane Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella marina

30–40% · Possible
Desert Tree Frog
LC

Desert Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria rubella

30–40% · Possible
Watjulum Frog
LC

Watjulum Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria watjulumensis

30–40% · Possible
Australian Rocket Frog
LC

Australian Rocket Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria nasuta

30–40% · Possible
Ranoidea caerulea

Ranoidea caerulea

Amphibian

Ranoidea caerulea

30–40% · Possible
Copland's Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Copland's Rock Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria coplandi

30–40% · Possible
Ornate Burrowing Frog
LC Endemic

Ornate Burrowing Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Platyplectrum ornatum

Insufficient data
Marbled Frog
LC

Marbled Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes convexiusculus

Insufficient data
giant frog

giant frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ranoidea australis

Insufficient data
Bilingual Frog
LC Endemic

Bilingual Frog

Amphibian

Crinia bilingua

Insufficient data
Woodworker Frog
LC Endemic

Woodworker Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes lignarius

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Black Flying-fox evening fly-outs

JulAugSepOctNov

Thousands of black flying-foxes emerge from roosts in monsoon forests at dusk, creating a cacophony of calls and a dark cloud in the sky.

Black Flying-fox
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Agile Wallaby congregations at waterholes

JulAugOctDec

Hundreds of agile wallabies gather at permanent waterholes during the dry season, creating a unique wildlife spectacle.

Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
🦎

Frill-necked Lizard mating displays

FebSepOctNovDec

Male frill-necked lizards perform dramatic territorial and mating displays, extending their frills and hissing to deter rivals or attract females.

Frill-necked Lizard
LC

Frill-necked Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chlamydosaurus kingii

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Mertens's Water Monitor
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
Great Bowerbird
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
Black Flying-fox
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
30–40
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
Torresian Crow
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
Bar-shouldered Dove
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Blue-winged Kookaburra
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
80–90
50–60
Red-collared Lorikeet
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
70–80
40–50
Spangled Drongo
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
80–90
40–50
50–60
Peaceful Dove
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
20–30
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
20–30
50–60
80–90
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
20–30
50–60
70–80
40–50
10–20
20–30
60–70
Agile Wallaby
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
Brown Tree Snake
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
10–20
Animal Events
🦌 Black Flying-fox evening fly-outs
🦌 Agile Wallaby congregations at waterholes
🦎 Frill-necked Lizard mating displays

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦎 Mertens's Water Monitor's Secret Pools

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
332
🐒 Mammals
81
🦎 Reptiles
162
🐸 Amphibians
30
605 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
25 Threatened 242 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (179 species at ≥5% of 605 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 3 reptile, 1 mammal)
47% Global avg
65%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
92
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
18
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
31
⚖️

Litchfield or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

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