Blue-tongued Skink
ExploreReptiles
Blue-tongued Skink
Tiliqua scincoides
The Blue-tongued Skink is known for its bright blue tongue! When it feels threatened, it sticks out its tongue to scare away predators.
Habitat: Grasslands and forests
Appearance
The Blue-tongued Skink has a large, sturdy body with short limbs and a thick tail. Its skin is covered in smooth, glossy scales, often displaying bands of brown, grey, and cream. The most striking feature is its bright, cobalt-blue tongue.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyScincidaeGenusTiliqua
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Blue-tongues can flatten their bodies to look bigger and scarier to predators.
These skinks help gardeners by eating slugs and snails.
They are born live, looking like mini adults, not from eggs!
They sometimes bask on roads, so drivers must watch out for them!
Special abilities
Ability
Bluffing Tongue
Blue-tongued Skink can flash its vibrant blue tongue and hiss loudly to startle predators, making them think it's venomous.
Ability
Tail Autonomy
Blue-tongued Skink can drop its tail when caught by a predator, allowing it to escape while the tail wiggles to distract.
Ability
Live Birth
Blue-tongued Skink has live birth instead of laying eggs, which helps its babies develop safely inside the mother.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 45-60 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 12 km/h
Diet & Feeding
Blue-tongued Skinks are omnivores that enjoy a varied diet of plants and small animals.
Primary Foods
- Insects
- Snails
- Berries
- Flowers
- Mushrooms
- Small Rodents
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
A large bird of prey that can hunt skinks.
eaten by
King Brown Snake
Pseudechis australis
A venomous snake known to prey on lizards.
eats
Garden Snail
Helix aspersa
A common garden pest that skinks love to eat.
eats
Mealworm
Tenebrio molitor
A common insect larva that skinks eat.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Blue-tongue LizardBlue-tongued Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Blue-tongued Skink?
45-60 cm
How much does Blue-tongued Skink weigh?
0.5-1.5 kg
How long does Blue-tongued Skink live?
15-20 years
How fast can Blue-tongued Skink move?
12 km/h
What does Blue-tongued Skink eat?
Blue-tongued Skinks are omnivores that enjoy a varied diet of plants and small animals.
Where is Blue-tongued Skink usually found?
Grasslands and forests
How does Blue-tongued Skink hunt?
Foraging
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