Shingleback Skink

Hi! I’m a Shingleback Skink

A close-up of a Shingleback Skink with rough, bumpy skin, lying on a piece of wood with its tongue out, set against blurred natural background with green plants and fallen leaves.

Shingleback Skinks inhabit drier areas of southern Australia, from New South Wales to West Australia. They are one of the largest Australian skinks, and can reach almost 1 kg. They have a blue tongue, large tough scales, and a short stubby tail that mimics their head.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 3 Shingleback Skinks: Alan, Captain, and Sock.

Facts

Taxonomy

Tiliqua rugosa

Population Movement

Stable

Current Animals

Sock, Alan, Captain

Life Span (captive)

10 - 15 years

Weight

600 to 900 g

Reproduction

Shingleback Skinks breed once a year, and after a 5 month pregnancy, mothers birth 1-2 live young. Although Shinglebacks live as a solitary species most of the year, the same monogamous pair will reunite to breed.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Group Count

3

Life Span (wild)

Up to 30 years

Size

12-18 inches in length

Gestation

5 months

Distribution

Southern and western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.