Animal Fact Sheets
Blotched Blue-tongue (Tiliqua nigrolutea)

The Blotched Blue-tongue is a member of the skink family and their scientific name refers to their colouring, (nigro) black and (lutea) yellow.

They are darker than other blue tongue species with pale, large blotches on the upper side of their bodies. Blue-tongues are so called because of their broad, fleshy, startling blue to purplish tongues. The tail usually has a series of pale cross bands, blotches, or a mixture of the two. They are large, plump lizards with tails shorter than their bodies.

They have a stout body with relatively short limbs, each tipped with five sharp clawed fingers or toes and a thick, short tail, and external ear openings. Blue-tongues usually live for about ten years, but have been known to live as long as 20 years.

Breeding and Lifecycle
Blue-tongues are viviparous (bear live young). Litters vary in size with an expected average of 6-10 live young. Mating in Spring, after a gestation period of between 3-5 months the young are born in the Summer to Autumn seasons. Young are independent at birth, receiving little if any parental care, but will not sexually mature for about four to five years.

Habitat and distribution
The Blotched Blue-tongue is the most cold adapted species of the genus, found only in south eastern Australia, from southern Victoria, into NSW, Tasmania and some of the Bass Strait Islands. Blue tongues can be found in ranges, slopes, valleys and lowlands with vegetation ranging from forest, woodland, shrublands and alpine meadows to swampy vegetation. Often found in backyard gardens, especially near the strawberry patch!

Diet
Blue-tongues are omnivorous, thus eating a variety of plant and animal materials, but especially fleshy leaves, flowers and fruits, large insects and snails.

Threats to Survival
Blue-tongues living in urban backyards can fall victim to pet cats and dogs.  Ever expanding urbanisation has reduced available habitat for these animals.

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