BLUE-TONGUED SKINK
Blue-Tongued Skinks are sturdy, ground-dwelling lizards best known for their vivid blue tongues. When threatened, they may flatten their bodies, hiss and open their mouths wide to flash the bright tongue as a warning display.
Learn how to interact
ABOUT BLUE-TONGUED SKINKS
Blue-Tongued Skinks belong to the genus Tiliqua, a group of large skinks native to Australia, New Guinea and parts of Indonesia. Depending on the species, they can live in forests, woodlands, grasslands, scrublands, semi-arid country and even suburban gardens. Their broad bodies, short legs and smooth overlapping scales give them a distinctive, heavy-built appearance.
Blue-Tongued Skinks are omnivores. Their diet can include insects, snails, carrion, flowers, fruit, berries and leafy plant material. Their most famous feature is the bright blue tongue. When threatened, a skink may flatten its body, hiss and open its mouth to display the tongue, creating a dramatic warning that can startle a predator. Many blue-tongued skinks also give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
Care & Conservation
Conservation status varies among Blue-Tongued Skink species and subspecies. The common Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) is classified as Least Concern, but local populations can still be affected by habitat loss, introduced predators, road traffic and illegal wildlife collection. Protecting native habitat and keeping introduced predators under control helps these distinctive reptiles persist in the wild.
Mon-Sat 11AM-7PM Sun 12PM-6PM
SKINK!
Visit Layton Aquarium & Wildlife Encounters and discover this remarkable blue-tongued reptile up close.