The Blotched Blue-tongued lizard is one of two Blue-tongue lizards found in this district. The other, the Eastern Blue-tongue, has bands rather then blotches. Its vivid blue tongue flicks out when threatened or hunting for food. It eats slugs, spiders, snails, fungi and plants, and is partial to strawberries.

It finds shelter in leaf litter, a hollow log or pipe, or under a pile of debris. It basks in the sun in open areas and overwinters in a secure and sheltered place. It gives birth to about fifteen live young in late summer and autumn. The birth sack provides the young skinks with their first meal. Blue-tongued lizards are the largest of the skinks and can live for up to twenty years.

Size: 45cm

Illustration: Mark Trinham