Blue-tongued buddy

This blue-tongued lizard was a backyard buddy to me for a long time, living in my flowerbeds. Every morning I’d go out to check on it and say hello. Blue-tongues are very common in Australian backyards and I find it a delight every time one decides to be a resident at my place.

Blue-tongued lizards are a type of skink and is the largest member of the skink family. At first glance it is very common for people to mistake these lizards for a snake and I admit, this was exactly what happened for me the first time I met one. I could only see part of it sticking out from leaves and I couldn’t see any legs, as their legs are very tiny. But without a doubt they are a lot more pleasant to have in the backyard than snakes.

They are native to Australia and New Guinea and have a lifespan in excess of 20 years. Most of their days they spend basking in the sun and searching the ground for food, which includes snails, worms, insects, flowers, fruit and berries.

LOCATION:

Cordeaux Heights, NSW, Australia