{"id":13600,"date":"2022-02-28T08:43:05","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T21:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.askroz.com.au\/blog\/?p=13600"},"modified":"2022-03-01T09:04:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T22:04:31","slug":"eastern-blue-tongue-skink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.askroz.com.au\/blog\/eastern-blue-tongue-skink\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)<\/strong>
\nBy Troy Hovenden, The Reptile Bloke<\/p>\n

The Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink<\/strong> is a common lizard species in the Blue Mountains. We actually have two species of Blue-Tongue here in the Mountains. In the upper mountains, we find the Blotched Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea).<\/p>\n

\"Eastern<\/a>

Blue Tongue Lizard (Tiliqua Scinciodes) \u00a9Australian Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

Often times when I\u2019m searching for snakes in people\u2019s yards I will inadvertently come across a beautiful Blue-Tongue either sheltering or basking in the sun.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, Blue-Tongued Skinks have a big bright blue fleshy tongue. This is used as a warning to potential predators to leave the lizard alone. Blue-Tongue Skinks are of course completely harmless but when they open their mouth and stick that bright blue tongue out, a predator may think twice about attacking.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

\u00a9Troy Hovenden<\/p><\/div>\n

There are a few myths about Blue-Tongues. One is that they will keep snakes away. This is not true. I have seen on many occasions Blue-Tongues and snakes happily living side by side in close proximity to one another. On some occasions, I have observed them sharing the same shelter site.<\/p>\n

Having said that, there have been documented cases of large venomous snakes eating Blue-Tongues. So the idea that Blue-Tongues keep snakes away is completely false.<\/p>\n

\"Eastern<\/a>

\u00a9Troy Hovenden<\/p><\/div>\n

Blue-Tongues are livebearers and usually have around ten or so babies in a litter.
\nTheir favourite food is snails but they will also eat bugs and plants, as well as Carrion.<\/p>\n

If you have a Bluey in your yard the best thing to do is leave it right where it is. It\u2019s not going to harm you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s surprising how many people I have come across over the years that are fearful of these beautiful lizards.<\/p>\n

\"Eastern<\/a>

\u00a9Australian Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

Still, I should warn you, while they aren\u2019t anything to be scared of they do have a mouth full of sharp teeth. don\u2019t try to pick up a wild Blue-Tongue. They may try to bite in self-defence which does indeed hurt quite a lot! If you leave them alone, however, they won\u2019t cause you any problems and make a great addition to the garden.<\/p>\n

\n

Stay safe and be nice to snakes.
\n<\/span>TROY – 0404 109 421<\/p>\n

\"Troy<\/a>

Troy Hovenden, The Reptile Bloke<\/p><\/div>\n

Troy Hovenden is a fully licensed and insured snake catcher servicing The Blue Mountains and Penrith areas. Fees apply.<\/em><\/p>\n

Web: www.thereptilebloke.com.au<\/a>
\nInstagram: @thereptilebloke<\/p>\n

eMail: thereptilebloke@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

#MondaySnakeAwareness<\/p>\n