Eastern Blue-tongue

Description:

A very large skink at about 50cm. Equal bands of cream and black over the length of the body with several bands on the abdomen partially including ochre.
When disturbed these expose, extend and flare their tongue which is a dramatic blue colour.

Habitat:

Enjoying the sun in a field of recently cut grass. The area is a fire break at the margins of a large nature reserve.

Notes:

This is the most common sub-species on the east coast of Australia but the genus is well represented throughout the continent.
Up to the 1960s many kids kept these as pets in shoe boxes as they posed no threat. They are now a 'protected species' of course as are nearly all native animals.