Blue-tongued skink

Blue-tongued skinks are interesting lizards that belong to the Australasian genus Tiliqua. They are some of the largest members of the skink family, which is known for its diverse species. These lizards are found mainly in Australia and Indonesia, where they have many local names such as blue-tongued lizards, blueys, or panana.

One of the most noticeable features of blue-tongued skinks is their large blue tongue, which they can show to scare away predators. This bluff-warning display helps keep them safe. Their tongue can also change shape and produce thick mucus to help them catch food.

Unlike some other lizards, blue-tongued skinks are usually quiet and slow-moving. This is because they have shorter legs, which make them move more slowly. Despite their slower pace, they are well-adapted to their environments and play an important role in their ecosystems.

Systematics and distribution

Blue-tongued skinks are closely related to the genera Cyclodomorphus and Hemisphaeriodon. Most of these lizards live in mainland Australia, but one species, Tiliqua gigas, can be found in New Guinea and several islands of Indonesia. Another type, the Tanimbar blue-tongued skink, lives on small islands between Australia and New Guinea. The blotched blue-tongued skink, known as Tiliqua nigrolutea, is the only species that lives in Tasmania.

Ecology

Most blue-tongued skinks are active during the day and search the ground for food. They eat many different things, such as insects, snails, flowers, fruits, and berries. One small type, the pygmy blue-tongue, waits and ambushes its prey, which are mainly land insects.

All blue-tongued skinks give birth to live babies, not eggs. The number of babies in a litter varies: the pygmy blue-tongue and shingleback have from 1 to 4 babies, while the eastern and northern blue-tongues can have between 5 and 24 babies in a litter.

Species

Some scientists think there were extinct kinds of blue-tongued skinks. One, called Tiliqua frangens, was the biggest known and lived long ago during the Pliocene and Pleistocene times in the Wellington Caves in New South Wales, Australia. Another possible extinct kind is T. pusilla, but scientists are not sure if it really belonged to the blue-tongued skink family.

In captivity

Some blue-tongued skinks, like Tiliqua scincoides, are popular pets and were among the first lizards to be kept and bred by people. They were successfully bred in captivity as early as 1897. When raised with care, these lizards are friendly and gentle, often earning the nickname "the dogs of reptiles." In a home environment, they can live for 20 years or even longer.