Blue Tongued Lizard
Blue-tongued lizards are the largest of all the skinks. They can grow up to 60 cm long. They are usually grey with broad brown stripes across their back and tail, and of course their most unique distinguishing feature is their blue tongue.
Where do they live?
There are six species of blue-tongues in Australia. The most common types are:
The Eastern Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides): Widespread in south-eastern Australia. It’s grey with dark brown stripes across its back and tail.
The Northern Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia): At home in the savannahs of Australia’s tropical regions. They’re orangey-yellow with darker stripes along their backs.
Blotched Blue-tongue (Tiliqua nigrolutea): It is found from the highlands of south-west NSW and down through Victoria and also in Tasmania. It’s dark brown with light coloured blotches on its back.
The Shingleback (Tiliqua rugosa): Is otherwise known as the Sleepy Lizard, Bobtail, Pinecone Lizard, Boggi, Double-headed Lizard and Stumpy Lizard. Lives west of the Great Dividing Range. It’s dark brown with large, rough scales.
Fast facts:
- At just 15cm long the Pygmy Blue Tongue is the smallest blue-tongued lizard. It is found only in a few locations in South Australia and live in holes in the ground made by Trapdoor Spiders.
- Blue-tongue lizards can live for more than 20 years and reach over 50cm in length. Most Shinglebacks have the same mate for their entire lives.
