Tiliqua scincoides

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Family

Scincidae (skinks)

Genus

Tiliqua

Species

scincoides

Common name/s

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard, Common Blue-tongued Lizard

Distinguishing Features

The most striking feature of the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard is its bright blue tongue. Its body is generally grey to pale brown above, with dark stripes running across its body and tail. A black stripe runs from the eye along the head to above the ear. The head of the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard is wedge shaped, while the body is broad. Eastern Blue-tongues can exceed 50cm, but on average adults reach 30cm in length.

Similar Species

The Blotched Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea ) is somewhat similar to the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard, but its patterning is patchy and irregular and it lacks the black bands behind the eyes.

Distribution

The Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard is common over much of eastern and northern Australia: its range stretches from the Kimberly in Western Australia, through the north of the Northern Territory, northern and eastern Queensland, central and eastern NSW to Victoria and the non-arid areas of South Australia. The lizard is not found in Tasmania, but occurs on some Indonesian islands. In the ACT it generally inhabits the warmer areas, such as in and around Canberra. It is quite common in urban gardens.

Country of Origin

Australia

Survey Techniques

As with many lizards, the common survey methods are pitfall trapping and hand searching.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Not considered at risk

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Due to their common status, Blue-tongued Lizards are listed as exempt under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 and may be kept in the ACT by hobbyists as pets (see Reptile Policy).

LSCCES Population

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizards are more common in the suburbs than in surrounding areas due to good shelter areas, suitable climate, and plentiful food supplies.

Associated vegetation community

Dry sclerophyll forest, open woodland, heath and grasslands.

Limiting Resources

Access to areas of shelter is an important limiting factor for the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard. Since there are a wide range of shelter options available in established suburban areas, they are often present in Canberra's suburbs.

Breeding

Adults may pair up for many years although they will only spend time together during the mating season. The Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard gives birth to 5-25 live young in summer.

Behaviour

The Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard is diurnal. It becomes inactive during the colder months of autumn and winter. It is often found sheltering under fallen logs or rocks in natural areas, or under timber, iron, compost heaps or concrete slabs in farmland or urban areas.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

Invertebrates including snails, as well as fruits, plant matter, fungi and carrion.

Predators

The Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis ) as well as cats and dogs.

Interesting Fact

If threatened, the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard will puff up its body, stick out its tongue and exhale loudly.

Eastern Blue-tongued lizards are not venomous, and can help to keep snail numbers down in gardens as it favours them as a food source.