Northern blue-tongued skink
The northern blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) is the largest and heaviest of the blue-tongued lizards (family Scincidae, genus Tiliqua). They are native to Australia and found almost exclusively in the Northern Region. They generally live around 20 years and are commonly kept as pets.
| Northern blue-tongued skink | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Tiliqua |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | T. s. intermedia |
| Trinomial name | |
| Tiliqua scincoides intermedia Mitchell, 1955 | |
Appearance
The northern blue-tongued skink (T. s. intermedia) is a subspecies of the eastern blue-tongued lizard (T. s. scincoides). Similar to other blue-tongued lizards, the northern blue-tongued skink has very distinctive patterning. Northerns tend to be a bright orange to soft peachy orange or even a yellowish colour with darker stripes along their sides and backs, with a lighter, creamier colour on their bellies.
They also have bright blue tongues often used to warn off or startle predators. Their legs are short and small compared to the length and width of their bodies. They grow to about 22 inches in total length.
Breeding
The breeding season occurs once yearly. When a male finds a suitable female, he scent-marks and follows her. Mating is aggressive and the male holds the female down by biting her. Damage to the scales and light bleeding are common. This is the only time males are aggressive towards females.
Northern blue-tongued skinks are ovoviviparous. Their gestation period is roughly 100 days with 4 - 6 young born per litter. The offspring look the same as the adults with only slight variations to colouring. They wander off on their own and begin eating small insects and fruit a few days after birth.