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Blue-tongued Lizard
Blue-tongued lizards are the largest members of the skink family. There are six species of blue-tongues which occur in Australia. They also occur in parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. As suggested by its name, its distinguishing characteristic is a blue tongue. All species are relatively large (10-50cm), heavy-bodied, short-limbed, broad, distinct head, and short, tapered tail. Species include: - the Common/Eastern Blue-Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides)
- the Northern Blue-Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia)
- the Central Blue-Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua multifasciata)
- the Blotched Blue-Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea)
- the Western Blue-Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua occipitalis)
- the Shingleback (Tiliqua rugosa)
These lizards occupy a range of habitats from desert, semi-arid savannah, woodland and temperate suburban areas through to tropical jungle. They are omnivorous, and may feed on berries, flowers and other plant material, fungi, insects, spiders, or other small animals, carrion, and are sometimes partial to slugs and snails. They may grow up to 60 cm (depending on the species). Solitary for most of the year, mating occurs in September-November. Pair bonding may occur over successive years (Bull 1988). The young are born (live) 3-5 months after mating (December-April). Litters may have 5-18 individuals. Predators include kookaburras, raptors, and snakes (e.g. Pseudonaja textilis, Mulga snake) (Valentic 1996), cats, dogs, and humans. References Bull, C. M. 1988. Mate fidelity in an Australian lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus (Scincidae). Copeia 1987(3): 749-757. Bull, C. M. 1990. Comparison of displaced and retained partners in a monogamous lizard Tiliqua rugosa. Australian Wildlife Research 17: 135-140. Valentic, R. A. 1996. A prey record of the Eastern Blue-tongue Tiliqua scincoides for the common brown snake Pseudonaja textilis. Monitor. Journal of the Victorian Herpetelogical Society 8(3): 155.
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