
Blue-tongued Skink
Scientific name: Tiliqua scincoides
The blue-tongued skink has a long, tubular body and a slender head. Their most defining feature is, of course, their blue tongue!
When a predator threatens the skink, it puffs up its body and makes a hissing noise. It does this in an attempt to intimidate the hunter.
There are 6 species of blue-tongued lizards in Australia. They vary in colour but the Tiliqua scincoides is pale grey with dark brown stripes across its body.
The blue-tongued skink may look exotic to us but in Australia they are commonly found in people’s back gardens. They are a helpful creature to have in the garden as they hunt and eat insect pests.
Blue-tongued skinks are often mistaken for being venomous but they are, in fact, fairly harmless.

-
We live...
In the Reptile House, opposite the Porcupine enclosure.
-
Size Fact
Blue-tongued skinks can grow up to 55cm from the snout to the tip of their tails.
-
Food Fact
Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores. They mostly eat insects and vegetation.
-
Fun Fact
Albino blue-tongued skinks have pink tongues!
You might also like...
-
Meerkat Keeper Talk
Come along and learn about our mob of Meerkats from our experienced animal keepers.
Find out more
-
Bird of Prey Flying Display
Watch our majestic birds of prey in our new Wings of Wonder flying display.
Find out more
-
Bear Keeper Talk
Learn about our Spectacled bears from our experts and find out what it is like to be a Spectacled bear keeper.
Find out more
-
Elephant Keeper Talk
Did you know Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth? Come and join our Elephant Keepers and learn about our bulls.
Find out more

Sign Up to the newsletter
Would you like to receive marketing emails from us? Please tick the box if you would like to receive information about future events, ways you can support our charity, offers and discounts.