Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard

Description:

Large member of the skink family, silvery grey with darker markings in grey, brown, black. smooth scaled skin. Distinctive blue tongue and blue/pink inside mouth evident when opened in defence mode. Paler belly colour. Harmless except when threatened or handled in wrong way the Blue-tongue can snap its mouth hard onto its attacker an old on often leaving a bruise. Also hisses and makes a jump at attacker with mouth wide open. Feeds mostly on snails, also eats dog and cat food! Skin and pattern colour can vary from individual to individual and region to region. Grows to roughly 30cm plus or minus.

Habitat:

Mostly areas throughout east of Australia in forest areas or open areas that provide good leaf litter, or ground cover. Often hides in farm sheds and under debris. Other similar species found throughout Australia from rainforest areas to arid desert regions.

Notes:

Very cute little lizard, happily wanders around the front garden.