Pink Tounged Skink

Description:

Broad head distinct from a somewhat slender body and long prehensile tail. The tongue is pink in most adults but blue in juveniles. Colour can range from a pale brown, to pinkish brown to grey. Bands across the body can be either absent or present in adults, but are always present in juveniles. Banded individuals have dark prominent bands extending from the neck to the tail tip, whereas unbanded individuals may only just have a black-tipped snout. When it will gape its mouth to protrude its pink or blue tongue sometimes with a hissing sound as it expels air. The average length of the Pink Tongue is usually around 350mm but has been recorded to 550mm locally.

Habitat:

Favours moist timbered environments such as wet sclerophyll and rainforests but also occurs in dry woodland and riparian habitats. Favors slugs and snails but will eat insects, small vertebrates and may take advantage of unattended cat and dog food.Common in well-watered gardens and rockeries. The Pink Tongue Will utilise any potential ground microhabitat but due to its ability to climb has also been found in tree hollows, dense canopy vegetation and even a hanging plant basket. Although it has a strong bite and impressive defensive display it is generally inoffensive and of no concern to people or pets.