New Guinea Blue-tongued Skink
Tiliqua gigas

CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Squamata
FAMILY: Scincidae

SIZE:
Up to 20 inches in length

RANGE:
Southern New Guinea and eastern Indonesia

HABITAT:
Found in scrubland and have a relatively low humidity requirement

DIET:

• Wild - Omnivorous diet includes insects, worms, snails, flowers, fruits, and berries
• Zoo - Small rodents, superworms, crickets, lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables

DESCRIPTION:

• Long bodies lizard with short legs, large blunt triangular head and short autonomous tail
• Large bright blue tongue
• Dark scaly skin on back with tan and gray or brown bands; legs and lower sides blackish
• Pale skin on underside

FACTS:

• When cornered will present blue tongue in a threatening manner while hissing
• Mostly diurnal, resting at night in fallen logs or leaf litter
• Life span of up to 20 years

YOUNG:
10-15 live young; Newborns about 4 inches long and weigh about 0.5 ounce