Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard

Tiliqua scincoides

• Distribution:
  Australia
• Habitat:
  Found in a wide variety of habitats, including coastal forests, woodlands, mountains and grasslands
• Diet:
  In the wild the blue-tongued lizards eats a variety of insects, snails, carrion, wild flowers, native fruits and berries. In Hamilton Zoo, they are fed chopped fruit, locusts, crickets and occasional snail
• Gestation:
  Mating occurs in spring. These reptiles do not lay eggs. On average 10 young are born per litter after a gestation period of approximately three months.
• Longetivity:
  Up to 20 years in captivity
• Predators:
  Cats, foxes and humans, and native predators include snakes, goannas and birds of prey
• Conservation status:
   
  Common but protected
• General:

  Named for the colour of its tongue, this is a large ground-living lizard. When disturbed, the blue-tongued lizard opens its mouth wide, sticks out its blue tongue and puffs up its body, hissing loudly. It is an effective defence mechanism, deterring many intruders.

  Adults do not care for their young – they must fend for themselves from birth.