My name is Emilee Thomson and I completed my BSc degree with a major in biology and a minor in wildlife ecology at QUT in 2023. My passion has always been reptiles and herpetology, and so I was incredibly excited to jump into an honours project focusing on the endangered Condamine earless dragon (Tympanocryptis condaminensis)! 

Specifically we are looking at if the factors of crop type, verge vegetation height and proximity to powerlines affect dragon presence and/or detectability! I absolutely love getting out into the field and getting hands on experience with the dragons- it’s amazing to be part of the team learning about them and slowly filling the knowledge gaps that currently exist with the species! 

My dream is to become a herpetologist- and outside of my research project I am often out hiking, herping and developing my wildlife photography skills! I have loved reptiles ever since I could talk, so the opportunity to work with them has been nothing short of incredible!

​
My favourite reptile: (Other than the dragons) my favourite reptile would have to be a tie between woma pythons (Aspidites ramsayi) and thorny devils (Moloch horridus).
My controversial opinion: Domestic cats should be kept indoors or in secure outdoor areas- I fully support stricter fines and penalties for those who allow their cats to roam.