Genus Tiliqua Gray, 1825

Blue-tongued skinks

The genus name has no known meaning.

The genus Tiliqua contains several species of large, broad-headed and blue-tongued lizards. The latter feature gives them their common name, blue-tongued skinks. They are widespread throughout Australia, New Guinea, and the eastern islands of Indonesia. Most are sausage-shaped animals with short stubby legs and digits. The claws are quite sharp. The tail is rarely longer than the snout-vent length. The genus name was devised by John Edward Gray and is apparently meaningless.