Northern Blue-Tongued Skink

Tiliqua Scincoides Intermedia

Scientific Name

Northern Blue-Tongued Skink:  
Tiliqua Scincoides Intermedia

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

The blue-tongued skink can be found in New Guinea and Northern and Eastern Australia.

Natural Habitat

They are found in semi-desert to brush steppes. They are also occasionally found in agricultural areas.

Physical Characteristics

  • The northern blue-tongued skink is a heavily built, flat 15 inch long lizard.  They are sandy in color with an attractive dark crossbands or blotches along the body.  The large, deep, and conical head contains the deep blue tongue that gives this skink its name.  The limbs are well developed and relatively short.  They are most active in the early morning and can often be found basking in the sun to warm themselves.  Although the exact function of the tongue is not known it is likely used to frighten away predators.

Quick Facts

  1. The skink is considered to be ovoviviparous, which means the eggs are retained in the body and lack a true shell, but have a membrane-like sac instead.

  2. The northern blue-tongued skink is currently not threatened or endangered.

  3. Being viviparous, they give birth to live young so there are no eggs.

Exhibit

Amphibian and Reptile Center

Conservation Status

Least Concern: The Northern Blue-Tongued Skink is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild.

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Diet

Herbivore

In the wild, they feed primarily on plant matter and some invertebrates. In human care they receive monitor diet, chopped bananas and lettuce, earthworms, insects, and crickets.