These lizards are active during the day and feed on slow-moving insects, carrion, wildflowers, berries and often small lizards. When threatened they scare potential predators by displaying their blue tongue. They shelter at night and in cold weather in tall grass, rocks, logs and burrows and sunbake during the day until they are warm enough to hunt.

They mate for life, meeting each spring to bear up to 25 live young that quickly take off to look for their own food. Their greatest threats are lawn mowers, cars, dogs, cats and snail poison. If the tail falls off when grabbed by a predator, they need good water supply for it to regrow.

Length 30cm

Illustration and photos: Mark Trinham