Tiliqua scincoides facts for kids

The Australian Blue-Tongue lizard, also known as a skink, is a very common reptile found in Australia. They live mostly along the east coast, which means they often come across people. These lizards are known for their unique blue tongue, which they use to scare away predators!

What is a Blue-Tongue Lizard?

Blue-tongue lizards are a type of skink, which is a kind of lizard. They are quite large for a lizard, often growing up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) long. They have short legs, a wide body, and a short, thick tail. Their skin is usually grey, brown, or reddish-brown with bands or spots, helping them blend into their surroundings.

Why is their Tongue Blue?

Their most famous feature is their bright blue tongue. When a blue-tongue lizard feels threatened, it will open its mouth wide and stick out its vivid blue tongue. This sudden flash of color, combined with a loud hiss, is meant to startle and scare away animals that might want to eat them, like birds or snakes. It's a clever way to avoid becoming dinner!

Where do Blue-Tongue Lizards Live?

These lizards are found in many different parts of Australia. They prefer areas with good hiding spots, such as forests, woodlands, grasslands, and even suburban gardens. They like places where they can find logs, rocks, or thick bushes to hide under. They are often seen basking in the sun to warm up, especially in the morning.

Their Home and Hiding Spots

Blue-tongue lizards are mostly active during the day. They spend their nights and cooler periods hiding in safe places. They might use hollow logs, rock crevices, or burrows dug by other animals. Sometimes, they even dig their own shallow burrows to escape the heat or hide from danger.

What do Blue-Tongue Lizards Eat?

Blue-tongue lizards are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. They have a varied diet, making them important for their local ecosystems.

Their Favorite Foods

Their diet includes a lot of insects like crickets, beetles, and snails. They also enjoy eating slugs, worms, and even small rodents. For their plant-based meals, they munch on fruits, berries, flowers, and leaves. In gardens, they might even eat fallen fruit or pet food left outside!

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Blue-tongue lizards have an interesting way of having babies. Unlike many reptiles that lay eggs, blue-tongue lizards give birth to live young. This is called being "viviparous."

How Baby Lizards are Born

Female blue-tongue lizards carry their babies inside them for about three to five months. When the babies are ready, they are born fully formed and able to look after themselves right away. A female can have anywhere from 5 to 25 babies at a time, usually in late summer or early autumn. The baby lizards are tiny versions of their parents and start hunting for food soon after birth. Blue-tongue lizards can live for 10 to 20 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity.

Blue-Tongue Lizards and People

Because they live in many populated areas, blue-tongue lizards often interact with humans. They are generally harmless and can even be helpful in gardens by eating pests like snails and slugs.

Are they Good Pets?

Blue-tongue lizards are quite popular as pets because they are calm and relatively easy to care for. However, it's important to remember that wild animals should always be observed from a distance and never taken from their natural habitat. If you are interested in having a blue-tongue lizard as a pet, it's best to get one from a reputable breeder.