Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard (feeding juvenile)

Description:

The eastern blue-tongue lizard (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) is a subspecies of large skink which is common throughout eastern Australia, often found in bushland and suburban areas where conditions are suitable. The lizard is known as "blue-tongue" because its tongue can range from bright to dark blue, and it has a habit of displaying it prominently and hissing loudly when disturbed. Adults can grow to almost 60 cm in total length, of which about 36 cm is head and body. This specimen was approx. 22-25 cm in length, and was definitely a young lizard. Diet includes insects, snails, fruits and flowers and small vertebrates, and will take advantage of unattended dog and cat food. The reference links provide loads of information.

Habitat:

Virtually all habitat types excluding arid regions and rainforests. Shelters under fallen timber, ground debris and in hollows. Very common in suburbia and found throughout Brisbane in virtually all suburbs except areas with high elevation and rainforest. This Bluey is quite at home in a quiet leafy corner of a car park. There's plenty of undergrowth, beetles, and places to hide.

Notes:

I knew the blue-tongues frequented this little garden. On this particular day I could hear the rustling in the leaf litter, and then a crunching sound. When I investigated the sound, I discovered this young bluey eating a Rhinoceros Beetle (Xylotrupes gideon). He wasted no time, and within a minute the beetle was gone. It seemed oblivious to my presence, even when I was lifting the branches of the bush to take these photos.