Eastern Blue Tongue
Lizards of South East Queensland
Eastern Blue Tongue
Tiliqua scincoides
Other common names: Blue-tongue, Common Blue tongue, Bluey.
Species Profile
General description:
Robust with a long body and tail, smooth body scales which are long and enlarged on the head. Colour can be highly variable, with shades of brown through to grey with bands between the neck and hips and on the tail. The head is robust and generally triangular in shape. Four short legs each with five toes. When harassed inflates its body and gapes its mouth to protrude its blue tongue sometimes with a hissing sound as it expels air.
Average length:
300-320mm but may reach a length of 550mm.
Habitat in SE Qld:
Virtually all habitat types excluding arid regions and rainforests. Shelters under fallen timber, ground debris and in hollows.
Diet:
Insects, snails, fruits and flowers and small vertebrates. Will take advantage of unattended dog and cat food.
Local Distribution:
Found throughout Brisbane in virtually all suburbs except areas with high elevation and rainforest.
Around the home:
This species is easily recognisable and despite its obvious size has successfully proliferated the suburban environment despite the high occurrence of large domestic animals in its favored suburban habitat. Cats and dogs account for large numbers of injured or dead blue tongues brought to wildlife carers every year.
Any ground debris or heavy vegetation may be utilised for refugia. Often wonders into homes through open doors when foraging. Although it has a strong bite and impressive defensive display it is generally inoffensive and of no concern to people or pets.
Photo Gallery
Please be patient while our image gallery loads. If viewing images in the lightbox viewer by clicking on an image, please allow a few second between each image as some images are large to retain their quality and size. Images are loaded straight from Google Photos. If blank spaces appear in gallery please refresh your page.
All image are the property of the website or respected owner and can not be re-used without permission. Copyright applies.
Photo ID
Did you know WildlifeQld offers a snake & Lizard identification service. For our identification service simply use the upload form on www.snakecatchers.com.au We provide our Australian snake identification service free of charge and always welcome high quality images for potential inclusion on our website. This service is not just for Queensland snake identification but for all snake id across Australia.
The content on this page is intended only to provide a summary and general overview . It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute to be exact in every circumstances. We attempt to ensure that the Content is current but we do not guarantee its currency.