The Blue Tongue Skink is one of Australia’s iconic reptiles – a giant, chunky lizard with attitude and stumpy little legs. They are often mistaken for death adders (or other snakes) due to their uncanny ability to slither across the ground, seemingly without using their legs. Blueys are found across Australia, from the coast to the desert, and even on UNE’s Armidale campus!

They are fairly tolerant of habitat alterations and can often be spotted in Australian gardens, even in urban areas. Blueys are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, fruits, and vegetation. Unlike many reptiles, they give live birth (viviparity) rather than laying eggs (oviparity), with some species producing more than 10 young at a time!

While baby Blueys are undeniably cute, the adults have impressive defence mechanisms. They flatten their bodies, hiss, and flash their vibrant blue tongues to appear larger and scare off potential threats.

As summer temperatures rise on campus, keep an eye out for these lovable lizards. Look carefully along roadsides, garden beds, or even during your walk to the Café – you might just spot one of these chunky campus residents.

Text: Dr Eric Nordberg, Senior Lecturer – Applied Ecology and Landscape Management