Blue-tongued Skink (Identify Note: This is a lizard, not a snake)
Tiliqua scincoides (possibly Tiliqua scincoides intermedia or T. s. scincoides) • Order: Squamata; Suborder: Sauria; Family: Scincidae; Subfamily: Egerniinae; Genus: Tiliqua; Species: T. scincoides
Native to Australia and parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, including the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.
Look up Blue-tongued Skink (Identify Note: This is a lizard, not a snake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs or venom glands (Aglyphous equivalent for lizards).
Danger Level
Harmless; though they can provide a painful pinch with their strong jaw muscles if harassed, they pose no significant danger to humans.
Family
Order: Squamata; Suborder: Sauria; Family: Scincidae; Subfamily: Egerniinae; Genus: Tiliqua; Species: T. scincoides
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN); major threats include predation by invasive species (cats/dogs) and habitat loss.
Physical Description
Elongated, heavy-bodied lizard with short legs and five-toed feet. Scales are smooth and overlapping. The head is large and triangular. This specimen shows a pale tan or creamy coloration with darker transverse bands. Most notably, it possesses a bright blue tongue used for defense.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be an adult of approximately 40-50 cm. Typical adult size for the species ranges from 30 to 60 cm (12-24 inches) in total length.
Habitat
Typically found in diverse habitats including scrublands, woodlands, grasslands, and suburban gardens, often hiding under low vegetation or debris.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and generally docile. When threatened, they engage in a defensive display by flattening the body, hissing, and gaping their mouth to reveal a bright blue tongue. Slow-moving and terrestrial.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; actively forages for slow-moving invertebrates (snails, slugs, beetles), carrion, and a wide variety of plant matter including fruits and flowers.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young); litter sizes typically range from 5 to 15, though up to 25 have been recorded. Breeding occurs in late spring/early summer.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with other Tiliqua species like the Shingleback (T. rugosa), but distinguished by its smoother scales. Its legless appearance while hiding can occasionally lead to confusion with snakes like the Death Adder (Acanthophis sp.).
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); major threats include predation by invasive species (cats/dogs) and habitat loss.
Cultural Significance
Highly popular in the global exotic pet trade due to their hardiness and temperament. In Australia, they are valued in gardens for natural pest control of snails and slugs.
Notable Features
Features a distinct blue tongue used as a primary defensive visual deterrent. It possesses specialized vestigial-looking but functional limbs that distinguish it clearly from snakes.