Tiliqua scincoides
| Tiliqua scincoides | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Tiliqua |
| Species: | T scincoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Tiliqua scincoides (White, 1790) | |
| Subspecies | |
|
3, see text | |
Tiliqua scincoides (Australian blue-tongued skink) is a species of skink in the genus Tiliqua. It is native to Indonesia and Australia.[1]
This is a large terrestrial lizard measuring up to 40 centimetres long and 700 grams in mass. It has a stout body and short legs.[2] It is variable in color but generally has a banded pattern. The tongue is blue-violet[3] to cobalt blue in color.[4]
This lizard is diurnal, active during the day. It is omnivorous.[2] It is ovoviviparous, the eggs hatching inside the female's body; she then gives birth to 5 to 25 live young per litter.[3] This species is known to live over 30 years. It is an adaptable animal, often finding habitat in urban and suburban areas, including residential areas of Sydney.[2] The lizard is considered beneficial in these areas, with its appetite for garden pests such as slugs and snails.[3]
When threatened it may hiss and reveal its blue tongue, startling potential predators. It has strong jaws and can deliver a damaging bite.[3]
There are three subspecies:[1]
- Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea – Tanimbar blue-tongued skink
- Tiliqua scincoides intermedia – northern blue-tongued skink
- Tiliqua scincoides scincoides – eastern blue-tongued skink
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tiliqua scincoides. |
- 1 2 Tiliqua scincoides, Reptile Database.
- 1 2 3 Koenig, J., Shine, R., & Shea, G. (2002). The dangers of life in the city: patterns of activity, injury and mortality in suburban lizards (Tiliqua scincoides). Journal of Herpetology, 36(1): 62-68.
- 1 2 3 4 Tiliqua scincoides. Australian Reptile Online Database.
- ↑ Abbate, F., et al. (2009). The lingual dorsal surface of the blue‐tongue skink (Tiliqua scincoides). Anatomia, histologia, embryologia 38(5): 348-350.