Conservationist and
wildlife advocate Ben
Dessen is Reptiles
Department Manager
at Kellyville Pets and is
passionate about
educating newcomers
to the reptile hobby.
This time it’s back to
basics, with one of our
most loved and
popular native reptiles.
Blue-tongue Basics.
With a resurgence in popularity over recent years -
largely due to the myriad of colour variations now
available - the humble blue-tongue has certainly
been put back on the herpetological map! What was
once considered a common, entry-level animal is
now a highly sought-after and prized addition to
many experienced reptile keepers collections
around Australia. However, for newcomers to the
hobby, the blue-tongue still represents a great
starting point due to its typically docile nature and
general hardiness in captivity (if provided with the
right environmental conditions). So, let’s get back to
the basics and take a look at the husbandry and
care requirements for blue-tongued lizards. largest members of the skink family, with six
species native to Australia:
General information.
The genus Tiliqua is comprised of some of the In the wild, blue-tongues are found right across the
continent and inhabit a range of different environ-
Eastern Blue-tongue; Tiliqua scincoides.
Centralian Blue-tongue; Tiliqua multifasciata.
Blotched Blue-tongue; Tiliqua nigrolutea.
Western Blue-tongue; Tiliqua occipitalis.
Pygmy Blue-tongue; Tiliqua adelaidensis.
Shingleback; Tiliqua rugosa.
In addition, there is also at least one species found
in Indonesia:
Indonesian Blue-tongue; Tiliqua gigas.
Left: the Eastern
or Common Blue-
tongue is found
throughout much
of eastern and
northern Australia.
Image by Michael
Cermak.
Above right: it’s
not difficult to see
how these skinks
got their name!
Image by lady-
photo.