Tiliqua rugosa

Tiliqua rugosa
Eastern shingleback
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Tiliqua
Species:
T. rugosa
Binomial name
Tiliqua rugosa
(Gray, 1825)[2]
Subspecies
T. r. rugosa
T. r. asper
T. r. konowi
T. r. palarra
Distribution of Tiliqua rugosa
Synonyms

Trachydosaurus rugosus

Western shingleback
Rottnest Island shingleback

Tiliqua rugosa, most commonly known as the shingleback skink or bobtail lizard, is a short-tailed, slow-moving species of blue-tongued skink (genus Tiliqua) endemic to Australia. It is commonly known as the shingleback or sleepy lizard. Three of its four recognised subspecies are found in Western Australia, where the bobtail name is most frequently used.[3] The fourth subspecies, T. rugosa asper, is the only one native to eastern Australia, where it goes by the common name of the eastern shingleback.

Apart from bobtail and shingleback, a variety of other common names are used in different states, including two-headed skink,[4] stumpy lizard,[5] stumpy-tailed skink, bogeye or boggi,[6] pinecone lizard.[7] The Noongar Aboriginal people refer to rugosa as yoorn in their language.[8]

T. rugosa has a short, wide, stumpy tail that resembles its head and may serve the purpose of confusing predators. The tail also contains fat reserves, which are drawn upon during brumation in winter, during which many lizards perform a behaviour similar to hibernation except they require water every day, but can go without food. This skink is an omnivore; it eats snails and plants and spends much of its time browsing through vegetation for food. In human habitation, it is often seen basking on roadsides or other paved areas.

  1. ^ Sanderson, C.; Lloyd, R.; Craig, M.; Gaikhorst, G. (2017). "Tiliqua rugosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T109481513A109481530. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T109481513A109481530.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Gray, J.E. (1825). A synopsis of the genera of reptiles and Amphibia, with a description of some new species. Annals of Philosophy 10:193—217. p. 201
  3. ^ City of Wanneroo (2009). "Bushland Critters" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2010.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference pianka was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Shingleback". Backyard Buddies. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Shingleback Lizard". The Australian Museum. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  7. ^ Tiliqua rugosa at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  8. ^ "Noongar Word List | Kaartdijin Noongar". www.noongarculture.org.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2020.