Pygmy Blue Tongued Skink
Tiliqua adelaidensis – The pygmy blue-tongued skink-once a common lizard-was presumed to be extinct, since there had been no sightings after 1959. In 1992, however, one was found inside the body of a dead snake. Surveys carried out in the surrounding region-the grasslands of South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges-revealed a dozen small sites containing pygmy blue-tongued skinks.AIthough less than half the size of the larger blue-tongued skinks familiar to many reptile keepers, the pygmy blue-tongued skink is otherwise similar in appearance.
Its common name comes from the blue tongue displayed by most lizards of the genus Tiliqua. However, while the pygmy skink’s mouth lining is pinkish-blue, its tongue is actually pink. The dramatic color combination provides a startling effect that deters attackers. The lizard is found in the Mount Lofty Ranges north of Adelaide in South Australia. Unfortunately, the animal’s preferred habitat is also highly suitable for farming. The climate is ideal, and the native grassland can be easily plowed. Pasture improvement-a process of replacing native plant species with agricultural species such as hay grasses and crops like alfalfa and clover-has further altered the plant diversity in favor of nonnative species.
Habitat Destruction
At the time when the lizards are most active-during the warm months-the soil is too hard for them to dig their own burrows. As a result, they often live in empty spider burrows dug by the spiders during the winter and early spring, when the soil is moist and soft. Plowing of the land is likely to be particularly destructive to the skink’s survival, depriving them of shelter and leaving them exposed to snakes, birds, and other predators. Before Europeans settled in South Australia, much of the area was native grassland supporting other reptile species, as well as birds and plants. Now only about 2 percent of the original grassland is left. All pygmy blue-tongued sites are found in the few unplowed areas. The undisturbed patches also support rare orchids and other plants, butterflies, and an endangered bird: the plains wanderer. Conserving the remaining grasslands will benefit the pygmy bluetongues as well as the other rare fauna and flora.
Conservation Projects
The discovery of an extinct species was exciting, and various government bodies, museums, zoos, and universities cooperated in the search for new habitat sites. A recovery plan was devised; its first task was to study skinks in the wild and in captivity. A group of pygmy blue-tongued skinks was taken to Adelaide Zoo to be studied. Specimens were also displayed to increase public awareness of the lizard’s plight. After seven years in captivity the colony had not bred. It was decided to set up another group in private, free from disturbance by the public. Little was known about the animal’s behavior and requirements, but captive breeding for possible release into the wild was an important part of the recovery plan.
Pygmy blue-tongues are listed under the Endangered Species Protection Act and the South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act. An important task has been to persuade landowners to protect known skink habitat sites on their land. There are also several laws that could be enforced to prevent habitat destruction. Law enforcement is perhaps the most important task, since the habitat is fragile and small in area. Recently owners of land enclosing three habitat sites signed a 10-year agreement to run their properties as wildlife sanctuaries. Other landowners are eager to sign up, but legal problems over grazing rights have caused some delay. Two previously unknown sites have also been discovered, although they are at some distance from the existing sites. By early 2000 the situation for the pygmy bluetongue skink had improved. An area of native grassland-unpopulated by the species but close to its other habitats-was made into a conservation park in the hope that it will be suitable for translocations. The park could be the first secure home for the animals.
The total number of blue-tongues is difficult to estimate because of their patchy distribution, but it may be about 5,500. However, the figure is still too low to justify changing the lizard’s endangered status to Vulnerable. Although relatively few populations are unprotected now, the lizard will keep its status until larger populations exist in secure habitats. One project to increase numbers involves the provision of artificial burrows. They are made from wooden tubes that are the same length and diameter as the favored spider hole, but less easily destroyed. Advising landowners on habitat management, such as weed clearance, grazing, and the use of pesticides, is also an important part of the program. Community involvement is a high priority, and a local school has been involved in studies as part of the plan. Despite such efforts, the outlook for the pygmy blue-tongued skink is by no means certain, since funds for wildlife conservation are limited.
Pygmy blue-tongued skink – Tiliqua adelaidensis
- Family: Scincidae (subfamily Lygosominae)
- World population: About 5,500
- Distribution: North Mount Lofty Ranges, southern South Australia
- Habitat: Grassland with tussocks and open areas; open woodland
- Size: Length: 7 in (18 cm); males often slightly smaller than females
- Form: Heavy body with relatively short limbs; scales small and smooth. Male has larger head than female. Color varies from gray-brown to orange¬brown with darker flecks along back
- Diet: Insects and some plant material
- Breeding: Gives birth to 1-4 live young per year
