Common Blue-tongue Lizard

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Common Blue-tongue Lizard
Common Blue-tongue Lizard

Common Blue-tongue Lizard

Tiliqua scincoides

Lives alone for most of the year. Viviparous (live young). Females produce up to 25 live young which are self sufficient and disperse after a few days. Possess a Jacobson's Organ on the roof of the mouth which is used to detect chemicals emitted from prey.

Details Description
Type
Reptile
Group
Lizard
Other Common Names
Common Blue-tongued Skink, Eastern Blue-tongue, Tongued Lizard
Identifying Characteristics

Greyish brown colour with 7-10 dark bands running across the body. Usually a pale underbelly. This species can grow as long as 60 cm. The head is broad and triangular. Strong teeth and jaw muscles are used for crushing prey.
Distinctive Markings

Bright, blue, fleshy tongue used to scare away predators. Seven to ten dark bands across the body.
Diet

Omnivore. Feeds on plant and animal material including snails, beetles, wildflowers, native fruits and berries.
Habitat

Basalt plains west of Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, including urban areas.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Scincidae
Genus
Tiliqua
Species
scincoides
Common Blue-tongue Lizard
Common throughout eastern Australia.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.