Body measurements
Attribute | Measurement |
---|---|
Snout–vent length | 300-320 mm (11.8-12.6 in) |
Total Length | *Average: 450 mm (17.7 in); maximum: 600 mm (23.6 in) |
Hindlimb Length | About 20% of snout–vent length |
Tail Length | About 50-75% of snout–vent length |
Data sources: Cogger (2014), Wilson and Swan (2017), *Hoser (1989)
(Phillips et al. 2016)
Tiliqua scincoides is a large lizard species with smooth scales and five equal-length toes.
The individual pictured above has cream-orange bands and—as is typical of this subspecies (T. s. intermedia)—lacks a dark streak behind its eye.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved. (Note: This is a cropped image.)
Similar to other lizards, blue-tongued skinks have a network of blood vessels just under the surface of their scales that helps them regulate their body temperature.
(Scale surface shown in solid white.)
Image source: Drane CR, Webb GJW. Functional morphology of the dermal vascular system of the Australian lizard Tiliqua scincoides. Herpetologica 1980 Mar;36(1):60–66. Figure 2, Diagram of the cutaneous vascular system of T. scincoides. (Based on Maderson PFA. 1964. The skin of lizards and snakes. Brit. J. Herpetol. 3: 151-154.). Note: This is a cropped image.
Image credit: © Herpetologica, The Herptetologists' League/British Journal of Herpetology, British Herpetological Society. All rights reserved. Used with permission from Allen Press Publishing Services.