Shingleback Lizard

## Description

Tiliqua rugosa, most commonly known as the shingleback lizard or bobtail lizard, is a short-tailed, slow-moving species of blue-tongued skink (genus Tiliqua ) endemic to Australia. It is commonly known as the shingleback or sleepy lizard. Three of its four recognised subspecies are found in Western Australia, where the bobtail name is most frequently used. The fourth subspecies, T. rugosa asper, is the only one native to eastern Australia, where it goes by the common name of the eastern shingleback.

Apart from bobtail and shingleback, a variety of other common names are used in different states, including two-headed skink, stumpy-tailed skink, bogeye or boggi, pinecone lizard. The Noongar Aboriginal people refer to rugosa as yoorn in their language.

*T. rugosa* has a short, wide, stumpy tail that resembles its head and may serve the purpose of confusing predators. The tail also contains fat reserves, which are drawn upon during brumation in winter, during which many lizards perform a behaviour similar to hibernation except they require water every day, but can go without food. This skink is an omnivore; it eats snails and plants and spends much of its time browsing through vegetation for food. In human habitation, it is often seen basking on roadsides or other paved areas.

## Appearance

The Shingleback lizard is a short-tailed, slow-moving species of blue-tongued skink native to Australia. These lizards have a heavily armored body and can be found in various colors, ranging from dark brown to cream. They have a triangular head and a bright blue tongue. Their short, wide, stumpy tail resembles the head of these lizards and may confuse predators. This has led to the common name of "two-headed skink". The tail also contains fat reserves, which are drawn upon during brumation in winter.

## Distribution

Shingleback lizards are widely distributed in arid to semiarid regions of southern and western Australia. The range extends from Shark Bay, Western Australia, across the southern-most regions of the country to the coast, then north into Queensland. Four subspecies are found in Western Australia, including one at Rottnest Island. Shingleback lizards also occur in the eastern states of Victoria and New South Wales but do not reach coastal areas. The habitat of the species includes forests, shrublands and desert grasslands to sandy dunes.

## Behavior

Shingleback lizards are diurnal and social creatures. These skinks are well known, due to a preference for sun basking, and are often seen along roadsides or other cleared areas in their range. Shinglebacks do not produce their own body heat and rely on the warmth of their surroundings to raise their body temperature. During cold months they brumate (stay inactive), buried deep in their shelter sites, however, on sunny days they may emerge to bask. On average, individuals have a home range of four hectares and can move up to 500 meters per day. At night they sleep among leaf litter or under large rocks and logs. Shinglebacks communicate with visually and vocally. When threatened, they will open their mouth wide and protrude their large blue tongue and will hiss violently at the same time. They may also flatten out their body, which will make them look bigger. If to try to pick up a frightened Shingleback lizard it may bite.

## Diet

Shingleback lizards are omnivores that eat snails, insects, carrion, vegetation, and flowers. They may also eat human food, such as sausage and chicken, as well as fruits such as banana and passionfruit.

## Reproduction

Unlike most lizards, Shinglebacks are monogamous and pairs have been known to return to each other every year for up to 20 years. They breed from September through November. These lizards are viviparous, giving birth to broods of 1 to 4 relatively large offspring. The gestation period usually lasts around 5 months. The young are born well-developed and weigh about 60-140 grams. Soon after birth, they immediately consume their afterbirth. The young lizards stay with their parents for several months before moving on, but they remain in close proximity, forming a colony of closely related skinks. Males usually eat less while parenting, remaining alert and ready to give an alarm.

## Population

### Population threats

There are no major threats to Shingleback lizards at present.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the Shingleback lizard is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.