REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SCINCIDAE: Tiliqua

Tiliqua rugosa 

Shingleback skink / pinecone lizard

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Much of Australia in arid regions.

Diagnosis: Skinks with huge, keeled scales, a blunt head about equal in size to the head, and a blue tongue.

Description:  

Scales of the shingleback seen enlarged (anterior at right).

Natural History: Shingleback skinks are interesting in that they have recently been discovered to mate for life, couples producing young in alternate years.

Reproduction: Live-bearing, producing 1-3 large young.

Taxonomy & Relationships: Three subspecies have been described.

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

 Literature: Click on book to order a copy

Bull, C. M. 1994. Population dynamics an pair fidelity in sleepy lizards. Pp. 159-174. In: L. Vitt and E. Pianka (editors), Lizard ecology: historical and experimental perspectives. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 0-691-03649-7.

Cogger, Harold. 1999. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 6th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-88359-048-4.

Cogger, Harold. 1995. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 5th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-8014-2739-8.

Ehmann, Harald. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus & Robertson. ISBN: 0-207-17379-6.

Greer, Allen. 1989. The biology & evolution of Australian lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN: 0-949324-21-3.

Hoser, Raymond. 1989. Australian reptiles & frogs. Pierson & Co. ISBN: 0-947068-08-2. 

Sprackland, Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.