Eastern blue-tongued lizard fact sheet – bunmarra | Field of Mars EEC

What are eastern blue-tongued lizards?

The eastern blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) is a large skink found across eastern Australia. It is well known for its broad body, short legs and bright blue tongue, which it displays when threatened. Eastern blue-tongued lizards are common in gardens, bushland, parks and open forests around Sydney, including areas near Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park. The Darug name for blue-tongued lizard is bunmarra.

These reptiles are slow-moving but well protected. Their thick scales help reduce water loss and protect them from scratches and predators. When disturbed, they may hiss loudly, flatten their body and stick out their blue tongue to startle animals that might try to attack them.

Many people notice eastern blue-tongued lizards basking on warm paths, hiding beneath leaf litter or sheltering under logs and garden materials. They are important predators of snails, slugs and insects and are one of the most recognisable reptiles in suburban Australia.

An eastern blue-tongued lizard.

An adult eastern blue-tongued lizard using a hollow log for protection.

Where do eastern blue-tongued lizards live?

Eastern blue-tongued lizards live across eastern Australia from coastal areas to inland woodlands. They are found in open forests, grassy woodlands, heathlands, farmland and suburban gardens. They prefer habitats with warm basking areas and nearby shelter such as logs, rocks, dense plants or leaf litter.

In Sydney, eastern blue-tongued lizards are often seen in backyards, school grounds and bush reserves. Students visiting Field of Mars Reserve or nearby bushland may spot them sunning themselves beside tracks or sheltering beneath fallen branches. During cooler weather they spend more time hidden in protected spaces to conserve warmth.

Eastern blue-tongued lizards often shelter beneath logs and dense ground cover.

What do eastern blue-tongued lizards eat?

Eastern blue-tongued lizards are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Much of their diet includes snails, slugs, beetles, caterpillars and other slow-moving invertebrates. They also eat berries, flowers, fallen fruit and fungi when available.

These lizards help control garden pests such as snails and slugs, making them useful animals to have in local environments. Young lizards usually eat more insects than adults because they need extra protein while growing. Their strong jaws help crush snail shells and other hard foods.

Eastern blue-tongued lizards often search for food in gardens and bushland.

What is the life cycle of eastern blue-tongued lizards?

Eastern blue-tongued lizards breed during spring. Unlike many reptiles, females do not lay eggs. Instead, the eggs develop inside the mother’s body and fully formed young are born alive in late summer or early autumn. A female may give birth to more than ten babies at one time.

Young lizards are independent from birth and begin hunting small insects soon after they are born. As they grow, they gradually eat a wider variety of foods. Eastern blue-tongued lizards can live for more than 20 years in safe environments, although many face dangers from cars, domestic pets and habitat loss.

Young eastern blue-tongued lizards can hunt for food soon after birth.

What adaptations do eastern blue-tongued lizards have to help them survive?

The bright blue tongue of an eastern blue-tongued lizard is one of its most famous adaptations. When threatened, the lizard opens its mouth wide and sticks out its tongue to shock predators. It may also hiss loudly and flatten its body to appear larger and harder to attack.

Their thick scales protect them from injury and help reduce water loss during hot weather. Their broad body stores energy, while their strong jaws allow them to crush hard-shelled prey such as snails. Eastern blue-tongued lizards also use camouflage to blend into leaf litter and dry grasses when resting.

Eastern blue-tongued lizards use their blue tongue to scare predators.

Features of a blue-tongue lizard |  YouTube  | Field of Mars EEC (1:07 min)

Why are eastern blue-tongued lizards important?

Eastern blue-tongued lizards are important predators in Australian ecosystems. They help control populations of insects, snails and slugs and are part of local food webs. Young lizards may also spread seeds when eating fruit, helping some plants grow in new areas.

These reptiles are also important for helping people learn about native wildlife. Because they often live close to homes and schools, many students encounter eastern blue-tongued lizards before seeing other native reptiles. Their presence can show that gardens and bushland still provide shelter, food and healthy habitat for wildlife.

Eastern blue-tongued lizards are important predators in Australian ecosystems.

How can you help eastern blue-tongued lizards?

You can help eastern blue-tongued lizards by protecting natural habitat and creating wildlife-friendly gardens. Leaving logs, rocks, leaf litter and dense plants in quiet areas gives lizards safe shelter and places to hide. Avoid using pesticides and snail pellets because these chemicals can poison reptiles and the animals they eat.

Keeping cats indoors and supervising dogs near bushland can also help protect native reptiles. If you see an eastern blue-tongued lizard in your garden, it is best to leave it alone and allow it to move safely through the area. Drivers should also slow down near bushland and suburban roads where reptiles may cross.

Wildlife-friendly gardens can provide shelter for eastern blue-tongued lizards.

Related fact sheets

More reptile fact sheets

• Reptiles fact sheet – Learn about reptiles, their adaptations, life cycles, habitats and roles in ecosystems.
• Eastern water dragon fact sheet – Compare another large lizard found in Sydney bushland and waterways.
• Red-bellied black snake fact sheet – Find out about another reptile that uses shelter, camouflage and careful movement to survive.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Leaf litter habitats fact sheet – Discover the ground layer where blue-tongued lizards shelter and search for food.
• Ground cover habitats fact sheet – Learn how low plants provide cover for reptiles and invertebrates.
• Rock and log habitats fact sheet – Explore important shelter sites used by lizards and other small animals.
• Eucalypt forest fact sheet – Learn about a bushland environment where reptiles, invertebrates and birds interact.

Animals that share this habitat

• Long-nosed bandicoot fact sheet – Find out about another animal that searches through leaf litter for food.
• Bush cockroach fact sheet – Learn about an invertebrate that shares shelter in logs, litter and ground cover.

Field of Mars habitats and wildlife

• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Explore the local bushland habitat that supports reptiles and other native wildlife.

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