Puneet Varma (Editor)

Tiliqua scincoides

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Order
  
Squamata

Genus
  
Tiliqua

Higher classification
  
Blue-tongued skink

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Scincidae

Scientific name
  
Tiliqua scincoides

Rank
  
Species

Tiliqua scincoides

Lower classifications
  
Eastern blue‑tongued lizard, Northern blue‑tongued skink

Tiliqua scincoides intermedia elevage en terrarium lampe uvb n on pour scinque langue bleu


Tiliqua scincoides (Australian blue-tongued skink) is a species of skink in the genus Tiliqua. It is native to Indonesia and Australia.

Contents

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 color but generally has a banded pattern. The tongue is blue-violet to cobalt blue in color.

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. It is an adaptable animal, often finding habitat in urban and suburban areas, including residential areas of Sydney. The lizard is considered beneficial in these areas, with its appetite for garden pests such as slugs and snails.

When threatened it may hiss and reveal its blue tongue, startling potential predators. It has strong jaws and can deliver a damaging bite.

There are three subspecies:

  • Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea – Tanimbar blue-tongued skink
  • Tiliqua scincoides intermedia – northern blue-tongued skink
  • Tiliqua scincoides scincoides – eastern blue-tongued skink
  • Northern bluetongue lizard tiliqua scincoides intermedia


    References

    Tiliqua scincoides Wikipedia