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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Chordata -> Subphylum Vertebrata -> Class Reptilia -> Order Squamata -> Suborder Autarchoglossa -> Family Scincidae -> Species Tiliqua scincoides

Tiliqua scincoides
eastern blue-tongued skink



2009/06/28 05:08:00.023 GMT-4

By Don Abbey

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Autarchoglossa
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Tiliqua
Species: Tiliqua scincoides

Geographic Range

Native to Australia, found also in New Guinea, and Tasmania. The blue-tongued skink originates from Australia, inhabits semi-desert, mixed woodlands, and scrubland habitats (Kaplan, 1996).

Biogeographic Regions:
australian (native ).

Habitat

Habitat: The blue-tongued skink inhabits semi-desert, mixed woodland, and scrubland areas of Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania.

Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland ; scrub forest .

Physical Description

Mass
493 g (average)
(17.35 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]


Length
33 cm (average)
(12.99 in)


Basal Metabolic Rate


The Eastern Blue-Tongued Skink is characterized by its long blue tongue which is used in defensive displays (Cogger and Zweifel, 1998). The skin is relatively smooth, covered by overlapping scales with a fish-like appearance. Coloration of the body is that of a grayish ventral side, and the head being a pale brown with the dorsal side (back) having alternating streaks or blotches of dark brown and cream. Juveniles, however, can possess a wider variety of coloration which helps them in becoming cryptic. This coloration will be lost as the juvenile reaches maturity. The general body plan is considered to be robust and cylindrical with relatively short legs. The massive tongue is supported by the hyoid skeleton, this is true for all members in the Order Squamata. The tip of the tongue is supported by one rod of the hyoid skeleton, the lingual process (Cogger and Zweifel, 1998). Movement of the Eastern-Blue Tongued Skink is a waddle motion, because of the short legs that the animal possesses (Obst, 1998).

Some key physical features:
ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry .

Reproduction

Birth Mass
14 g (average)
(0.49 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]


The Blue-Tongued Skink is ovoviviparous, which means the offspring develop in eggs which are not laid and stay in the mothers body for further development. The female then will lay live young. Eggs are therefore not taken by predators and survivorship would increase because all the young are born. The clutch of the Blue-Tongued Skink ranges about 10-15 young hatched at one cycle of reproduction.

Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate).

Behavior

Blue-Tongued Skinks show little aggression. They are very docile creatures that tame easily. They are shy and secretive and seldom stray far from their shelters, which consist of hollow logs and ground debris. They use claws to cling to logs and rocks. The most peculiar behavior is use of their bright blue tongue. When disturbed, it gapes its mouth open sticks out its blue tongue, puffs up its body and hisses loudly. This again is used as a defensive behavior. By puffing out its body this helps the animal look bigger than it really is, and the blue tongue is a warning in that this animal may be distasteful to some. Another behavior possessed by the Blue-Tongued Skink is the ability to automize or lose its tail during a confrontation. The skink has the ability to lose its tail in which it can regrow.

Some scientists believe that the Blue-Tongued Skink is a mimic to the poisonous Death Adder which does share some of the skink's range. This is because both animals share similar coloration and because of the short legs of the Blue-Tongued Skink may help it look more like a snake.

Key behaviors:
motile .

Food Habits

The Blue-Tongued Skink is omnivorous and will survive on a variety of foods. They feed on a variety of small creatures such as insects, other reptiles, as well as some plant material and fruits. Captive studies show that one of the best food sources is high quality dog food, which contains added vitamins and minerals, also they adapt well to vegetables such as collard greens, turnips, and dandelions. Blue-Tongued Skinks feed during the day and are termed diurnal (Houseoftropics 1999).

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Status Unknown.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Skinks make good pets because of the fact that they are docile, easily tamable and relatively easy to take care of (Kaplan, 1996).

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]:
Not Evaluated.

Australia prohibits commercial export of most wildlife (including lizards), and the pet trade stock would necessarily need to be captive-bred.

Contributors

Don Abbey (author), Michigan State University.
James Harding external link (editor), Michigan State University.

References

"New South Wales Reptile Advisory Service" (On-line). Accessed November 12, 1999 at frednerk@synflux.com.au.

Accessed November 12, 1999 at http://warrenburg.kiz.mo.us/animal/brentr3/index.html.

Accessed November 12, 1999 at http://planetpets.simplenet.com/skink.html.

Accessed November 12, 1999 at http://www.houseoftropicals.com/BTSKINK.htm.

Accessed November 12, 1999 at http://www.cincyzoo.org/mainhtm/2bluetng.htm.

Cogger, .., .. Zweifel. 1998. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. Academic Press.

Kaplan,, M. 1996. "Blue-Tongue Skink" (On-line). Accessed November 12, 1999 at http://www.sonic.net/melissk/bluetong.html.

Obst, ,. 1988. Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians. TFH Publishing.

2009/06/28 05:08:00.886 GMT-4

To cite this page: Abbey, D. 2000. "Tiliqua scincoides" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed July 05, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Tiliqua_scincoides.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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