Description
The eastern blue tongue lizard is one of the most familiar reptiles in Australia. Large specimens may reach 60cm in total length. The legs are small and can often be overlooked, a situation which sometimes means the harmless bluetongue, with its large triangular head, is mistaken for a dangerous snake and inadvertently killed. The body is primarily grey or pale brown with around a dozen darker bands around the body and tail. The belly is cream or yellowish-white. Although not normally aggressive, bluetongues can inflict a painful bite if harassed. Usually, however, they prefer to carry out a bluff display to deter predators by emitting a loud hiss and opening the mouth to expose the vivid blue tongue.
Habitat
The eastern blue tongue lizard is a common lizard of eastern and northern Australia. Its natural habitat is woodland, grassland and heath country but it readily adapts to urban and suburban gardens and parks where it fulfils a valuable role in controlling pests such as slugs and snails.
Diet
The eastern blue tongue lizard’s diet includes vegetation, berries, flowers, insects and snails. The latter are eaten skilfully by crushing the shell and swallowing the soft body of the prey while, at the same time, the shell particles are rejected.
Reproduction
Eastern blue tongue lizards produce live young. They can produce huge litters of up to thirty young in summer after the female has mated in late spring.
