Taxonomic notes: Differences between populations from New Guinea and Cape York and those from the remainder of the species' Australian range suggest that this taxon may be a species complex (G. Shea and A. Allison pers. comm. 2014).

In Australia this species occurs from in New South Wales, Queensland. It is also found on the islands of Torres Strait and in southern Western Province, Papua New Guinea (Wilson and Swan 2003). The lizard undoubtedly occurs in Indonesian New Guinea, but no records exist as the Indonesian portion of the Trans-Fly is unsurveyed (G. Shea pers. comm. 2014). Records from Boset in the mid-Fly appear to be isolated, and may represent vicariance (A. Allison pers. comm. 2014).

In Australia this species occurs in a variety of habitats from rainforest, vine thickets to open woodlands and rocky outcrops (Wilson and Swan 2003). It is found in buttress roots, logs and riverine vegetation. This diurnal cryptic lizard is usually found basking or foraging around the edges of these habitats with thick ground cover. It can persist in some modified habitats, such as suburban areas (G. Shea pers. comm. 2014). In New Guinea it is found in wooded savannah. It is also omnivorous (Cameron and Cogger 1992). Animals live in small colonies.

This species is locally common, but secretive and hard to survey.

There is no significant use or trade in this species (G. Shea and A. Allison pers. comm. 2014). Natusch and Lyons (2012) noted the trade of this species from Merauke in Papua Province, Indonesian New Guinea. Three individuals of this species were recorded at a wildlife traders between September 2010 - April 2011. There is an export quota for this species of 1,000 individuals from Papua and 1,000 from West Papua.

It is unlikely that any major threats are impacting this species.

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. This species may occur in several protected areas in Australia. Research is recommended to investigate whether differences between subpopulations warrant the recognition of additional taxa within this possible species complex.

Bellatorias frerei has been assessed as Least Concern due to its large distribution, occurrence in a variety of both natural and modified habitats, and the lack of any major threats.

• Cameron, E. E. and H. G. Cogger. 1992. The herpetofauna of the Weipa Region, Cape York Peninsula. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 7: 1-200.
• Fuller, S. J. Bull, C. M. Murray, K. Spencer, R. J. 2005. Clustering of related individuals in a population of the Australian lizard Egernia frerei. Mol. Ecol. 14 : 1207-1213.
• Natusch, D. J. D. and Lyons, J. A. 2012. Exploited for pets. The harvest and trade of amphibians and reptiles from Indonesia New Guinea. Biodiversity Conservation 21: 2899-2911.
• Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2003. A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. New Holland, Sydney.
• Yuwono, F.B. 1998. The trade of live reptiles & amphibians in Indonesia. In W. Erdelen (ed.) Conservation, Trade & Sustainable Use of Lizards & Snakes in Indonesia. Mertensiella 9: 9-16.