The Shingleback Lizard is a well known member of the skink family. Related to the commonly known blue tongue lizards, the Shingleback Lizard is distinctive in its appearance from it’s short stump tail commonly known as a ‘bobtail’. The Shingleback Lizard’s habitats is primarily within Southern and Western Australia, especially in the arid regions where due to their adaptations they thrive. Whilst omnivorous, the Shingeback Lizard primarily survives off vegetable matter – such as fruits, berries and flowers. Sizes of Shinglebacks do vary, with some adults growing over 35cm in length.
Bobtail Lizards
Shingleback lizards are also often known informally as bobtail lizards because of their bobtail. The bobtail serves the lizard as a fat storage which can be used during times of low food availability. Bobtails can also be known by other names such as stumpy tails, boggi and pinecone lizards.
| Taxonomy | ||
| Family | Scincidae | skinks |
| Genus | Tiliqua | Blue tongued Skinks |
| Species | rugosa | Shingleback |
| Common Names | Two-headed lizard, Pinecone lizard, Sleepy lizard, Boggi, Bobtail, Bobtail goanna, Stump-tailed lizard, Stumpy lizard |
Characteristics
Appearance
- tongue is dark blue
broad blunt tail similar in shape to head covered with raised scales length 34 cms (13 in)
Distribution
- arid regions of southern Australia but not on coast
wide range of habitats
Habits
- diurnal shelters under fallen timber, leaf litter, and grasses when not active
Diet
- mainly herbivorous – favour flowers, berries, succulent leaves also eats spiders, insects, snails, carrion
Reproduction
- breed in spring; same pairs form each year
produce 1-4 but usually 2 live young
References – books
- Australia’s Amazing Wildlife, 1985. Bay Books, Kensington NSW.
- Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, HG Cogger, 1996. Reed Books, Melbourne
- Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, Readers Digest Australia Pty Ltd, 1997. Readers Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Surrey Hills.
- Wildlife Conservation, HJ Frith, 1979. Angus & Robertson, London.
