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Shingleback skink

Tiliqua rugosa

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Large tough scales looking like roofing shingles.
The tail is short and stocky and looks somewhat like its head.

Habitat:

Semi desert. Bushland.

Notes:

Also called the Stumpytail.
This skink curls its body around in this defence posture, offering its tail as an alternative target for a predator, thereby protecting its head from attack.

Reference Links:

EOL: Shingleback Tiliqua rugosa, Shingleback <i>Tiliqua rugosa</i> | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
MartinL
that's an excellent link thanks
NeilDazet
Shinglebacks are amazing creatures! On BBC's Life in Cold Blood documentary, there is a terrific piece done by David Attenborough on Shinglebacks where he talks about how the males and females partner up and stay together for years. It is on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/7UwfrAVdVws
MartinL
Their scales are as tough as a pinecone. They present their tail which looks like an alternative head - that would confuse a predator. If all else fails they hiss with a wide mouth and blue tongue. But usually they just run away from predators.
Jerzer Rawr
Amazing! i wonder what it does to escape from predators. Hmm seems pretty interesting..
Steve A
You just have to love the Stumpies - brings back childhood memories growing up in Adelaide!
Ashish
Their shape made to confuse predator. Tail and Head look very similar... http://www.dahmstierleben.de/foto/rheinberg/TiliquaRugosa/image_view_fullscreen
annorion
Interesting critter! His body looks like an unopened pine cone.
ChunXingWong
Wow, the skinks there looks completely different from the ones in the country I live in.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Reptiles and Amphibians of Woodstock

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Photographed
PublishedNovember 17, 2011

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