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Shingleback
ExploreReptiles
Shingleback
Tiliqua rugosa
Shinglebacks are fun, chunky lizards with a bumpy, blue tail that looks like a head! They are friendly and often seen sunbathing on warm rocks.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Shingleback is a stout-bodied lizard with large, keeled, and rough scales that resemble pinecones or roof shingles. Its coloration varies from brown to dark brown, often with lighter bands across its back. It possesses a distinctive short, stumpy tail that looks remarkably similar to its head.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyScincidaeGenusTiliqua
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Shinglebacks actually give birth to live babies, not eggs!
Their strong jaws help them easily crush snail shells and beetles.
These lizards can go for months without water, storing it in their bodies!
They often form a mating pair that stays together for many years!
Special abilities
Ability
Head-Tail Twin
Shinglebacks have a tail that looks like their head because this clever mimicry helps them confuse predators about which end to attack.
Ability
Armoured Scales
Shinglebacks are covered in tough, pinecone-like scales that help protect their body like natural armor from sharp teeth or claws.
Ability
Blue Tongue Bluff
Shinglebacks can stick out a large, bright blue tongue that helps them startle and warn off predators, making them think twice before attacking.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 25-35 cm
- Weight
- 0.6-1.2 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-30 years
- Top Speed
- 1.5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-5
Diet & Feeding
These lizards munch on plants, juicy fruits, insects, and snails for their meals.
Primary Foods
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Snails
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Introduced predator causing population declines.
eaten by
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
Hunted by this large bird of prey.
eats
Garden Snail
Helix aspersa
A favourite slow-moving invertebrate meal.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
BobtailStumpy-tailed Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild lizards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Shingleback?
25-35 cm
How much does Shingleback weigh?
0.6-1.2 kg
How long does Shingleback live?
10-30 years
How fast can Shingleback move?
1.5 km/h
What does Shingleback eat?
These lizards munch on plants, juicy fruits, insects, and snails for their meals.
Where is Shingleback usually found?
Grasslands
How does Shingleback hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Shingleback lay?
1-5
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