Common Bluetongue

About the Common Bluetongue

Tiliqua scincoides is a species of lizard in the subfamily Egerniinae of the family Scincidae (skinks). The species is native to Australia as well Tanimbar Island (Maluku Province, Indonesia). There are three recognized subspecies.

Common names for Tiliqua scincoides include common blue-tongued lizard, common blue-tongued skink, blue-tongued lizard, and common bluetongue. Three subspecies of Tiliqua scincoides are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies (listed in chronological order).

Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (White, 1790) – eastern blue-tongued skink (southern/eastern Australia) Tiliqua scincoides intermedia Mitchell, 1955 – northern blue-tongued skink (northern Australia) Tiliqua scincoides chimaera Shea, 2000 – Tanimbar blue-tongued skink (Maluku Province, Indonesia)

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Tiliqua. Tiliqua scincoides is a large species of terrestrial blue-tongue measuring upwards of 60 cm (24 in) in total length (tail included), and over 1 kg (2.2 lb) in mass. It has a stout body and short legs... Wikipedia →