Australian pygmy bluetongue lizards were not seen for 33 years.They were thought to be extinct until one was discovered inside a snake in 1992.Prior to that time, only 19 individuals were known from anywhere in the world.The species inhabits a restricted geographic area and uses the burrows of spiders for refuge, the only lizard known to do so.Biologists did not observe bluetongue lizards because they did not look inside spider burrows.It has likely been difficult to determine the status of this lizard for all of the following reasons except that
A) it is small and extremely rare.
B) its life history and habitat were poorly known.
C) its interactions with other species were poorly known.
D) it is extremely reclusive.
E) it was not known or described before 1992.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the lizard was not known or described before 1992 was not a reason that made it difficult to determine its status. Rather, the reasons were related to its small size, rarity, poorly known life history and habitat, and reclusive behavior, as well as the lack of observation inside spider burrows.

Australian Pygmy Bluetongue Lizards Were Not Seen for 33 Years