Blotched blue-tongue Lizard

.....Tiliqua nigrolutea

On Sunday my wife came across a Blotched Bluetongue Lizard on the road so she brought it back home where we released it in the bush up behind our house. Of course I first took the opportunity to get some photos.

The Blotched blue-tongue is found in the south-east of Australia and Tasmania. On the mainland it is usually found at higher elevations but here in Tassie it is found from sea level up to around 750m. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, snails, flowers, and fruit. In a backyard situation they will be attracted by pet food and your strawberry patch.

These are the largest lizards in Tasmania. Head to vent they grow to around 30cm or up to about 45cm including the tail. This one was 42cm. I had one in the yard last year which I reckon would have been at least half a metre. I didn't realise at the time that it was above average so I wish I had measured it more accurately.

You may see from the photos that this one has an injured rear right foot, perhaps from a previous close shave with the traffic. At least if this one appears on my block again in future I'll be able to recognise it.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

#1 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue

#2 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue

#3 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue

#4 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue

#5 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue - Note the scaly eye lids


#6 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue - Head Scales


#7 - Tiliqua nigrolutea - Blotched blue-tongue - Previous injury

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