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 is a species of skink in the genus Tiliqua, the blue-tongued skinks or blue-tongued lizards. It is native to Indonesia and Australia.[1]

This is a large terrestrial lizard measuring up to 40 centimeters long and 700 grams in weight. 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]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tiliqua scincoides.
  1. 1 2 Tiliqua scincoides. Reptile Database.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Tiliqua scincoides. Australian Reptile Online Database.
  4. Abbate, F., et al. (2009). The lingual dorsal surface of the blue‐tongue skink (Tiliqua scincoides). Anatomia, histologia, embryologia 38(5), 348-350.
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