Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard (adult)

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. Diet includes insects, snails, fruits and flowers and small vertebrates, and will take advantage of unattended dog and cat food. Tons of information can be found at the reference links.

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. They are often seen in my garden, and there are plenty of places amongst the rocks, shrubs and undergrowth to call home.

Notes:

Found this Bluey sunning itself late afternoon on the garden path. I approached it slowly and quietly, and managed to get just a handful of photos. Then along comes one of my cats, inquisitive as always. The lizard felt outnumbered and scampered off into the garden, although it did so at a leisurely pace. However, they can move fast when they want to. A good photo of the "blue tongue" still eludes me, but one day.....! Until then, I must exercise patience. PS: This fellow has a stumpy tail, so has probably had a close encounter in the past and dropped its tail as a decoy.