"Tiliqua rugosa" is a short-tailed, slow moving species of blue-tongued skink found in Australia. Three of the four recognised subspecies are found only in Western Australia, where they are known collectively by the common name bobtail. The name shingleback is also used, especially for "T. rugosa asper", the only subspecies native to eastern Australia.
Similar species: Snakes And Lizards
By petmer28
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Uploaded Apr 16, 2014. Captured Sep 28, 2010 13:21.
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"The Shingleback Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa), also known as the Sleepy Lizard, Two-headed Lizard, and the Pinecone Lizard, lives in the arid and semi-arid areas of Australia. It's slow moving, heavily armored, and has a blue tongue! These stocky lizards are one of the only reptiles in the world that are monogamous. They remain with the same partner for up to a decade during their 30-year lifespan. If separated, they can relocate each other by following their mate's trail. During breeding season, they don't travel more than a few feet from each other. This kind of long-term relationship has definite benefits. It allows them to coordinate their reproductive cycles, helps them better evade predators, and makes foraging for food easier. The less energy they spend on these aspects of daily life, the more energy they will have for mating. Plus, while newly formed couples will be busy getting to know each other, lizards that are in long-term relationships can skip the courting behaviors and get right to mating during breeding season. Skipping the "foreplay" is more efficient and gives monogamous couples a reproductive advantage. {Spotted in Australia by JungleDragon user, petmer28} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago