Details
Tiliqua scincoides
The blue-tongued skink is a stout lizard of Australasian woodland and grassland. Diurnal and solitary, it uses its vivid tongue as a warning display.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses open forest, grassland, edges, and shrubland. Leaf litter, logs, and ground cover are important in dry habitats.
Length is about 40-60 cm and weight about 300-1000 g. A thick body, short legs, broad head, and bright blue tongue are distinctive.
It walks slowly on the ground by day and opens its mouth to flash the tongue when threatened. Individuals live alone around local shelters.
It is omnivorous, eating insects, snails, fruit, flowers, and soft vegetation. Strong jaws can crush tougher small prey.
It bears live young rather than laying eggs. Newborn skinks soon forage independently on the ground.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It can live near people, but roads and pets may create local risks.
