Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Tiliqua
Species: T. scincoides
Species: T. scincoides
Binomial name Tiliqua scincoide
Common name: Blue-tongued skink, Common bluetongue
Tiliqua scincoides is a species of skink native to Australia as well as to the Tanimbar and Babar Islands in the Maluku Province of Indonesia. There are three subspecies Tiliqua scincoidess scincoides – Eastern blue-tongued skink (southern/eastern Australia). Tiliqua scincoides intermedia – Northern blue-tongued skink (northern Australia), Tiliqua scincoides chimaera – Tanimbar blue-tongued skink (Maluku Province, Indonesia)
In New Zealand, it is very common in zoos and in the private sector.
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. It is variable in colour but generally has a banded pattern. The tongue is blue-violet to cobalt blue in colour.
This lizard is diurnal, active during the day. It is omnivorous. It is ovoviviparous, the eggs hatching inside the female's body; she then gives birth to 5 to 25 live young per litter. This species is known to live over 30 years.
When threatened it may hiss and reveal its blue tongue, startling potential predators. It has strong jaws and can deliver a damaging bite.
Eastern blue-tongued skink
Eastern blue-tongued skink
.JPG)
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
