Blue-tongued skink

With a slippery scaly skin and a bright blue tongue, the blue-tongued skink is a special animal to see. If you only see the head of the animal you would almost think there is a snake lying there. This skink - native to Australia - uses its distinctive tongue as a deterrent. Because of its unnaturally bright color, enemies think the animal is poisonous and ignore it. Because of the export ban, there is a lot of illegal trade in the species. At the terrarium at Paco's research station, you can read all about this practice and the risks to the animals.

General information blue-tongued skink

Scientific name: Tiliqua scincoides scincoides

The blue-tongued skink is native to Australia. They live in dry areas there, such as semi-desert and dry forest edges. They are true bottom dwellers. At night they hide themselves under rocks, between rock crevices or in burrows of other animals. Because the species - like many reptiles - is cold-blooded, they use a lot of time to warm up. They position themselves in full sun and absorb as much heat as possible. Blue tongue skinks are omnivorous; they eat mainly plant parts, but also invertebrates, such as snails or worms.