Shingleback
Tiliqua rugosa
Habitat Woodland, arid to dry areas, open country with plenty of ground cover
IUCN Status Least concern
Shinglebacks are one of three species of blue-tongue found in the ACT and of eight overall species of blue-tongue found in Australia and Indonesia. Shinglebacks respond to threats by opening their mouth and sticking out their tongue. They also may hiss and flatten out their body, and can bite if cornered.
Their diverse diet consists of insects, small mammals and reptiles, and a wide variety of plants. They have also been reported to snack on eggs. Unlike other reptiles, Shinglebacks do not lay eggs and instead give birth to live young.
Shinglebacks are sometimes kept as pets. Although their numbers are stable, Shingleback populations are highly fragmented and face pressure from trapping and hunting in some areas including Rottnest.
Photograph by Elsie Percival