In General

These lizards are a fairly comon site in backyards, but their numbers are being reduced through the use of snail baits and attacks by dogs and cats.

A member of the skink family with a solid body and stumpy legs they vary in colouration across different ranges. When threatened they will open their mouth and stick out their blue tongue to scare off would be attackers.

Diet

A variety of vegetation, insects and their favourite being snails whose shells they crush with their powerful jaws.

Habitat

A variety of habitats as long as ground cover is readily available.

Breeding

Mating occurs between September & November. The gestation period is about 3 months (species dependent). The female gives birth to between 5 & 20 live young. After making their way out of the birthing membrane the new borns are completely independent.

Conservation status

Common