Eastern blue tongue lizard


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Backyard Buddies

Make your backyard blue-tongue friendly

Did you know that in many parts of NSW, we're fortunate to share our backyards with one of Australia's largest lizards? That's right! And with its sleek body and bright blue tongue, you're sure to know it if you see it.

It is, of course, the blue-tongue lizard. If you're lucky, you may find one sunning itself on your garden paving on a warm day, or sheltering under a rock or log when its too hot.

They're beautiful visitors in any yard. And the great thing is, blue-tongue lizards are useful too. They help eat the snails, slugs and caterpillars that attack your favourite plants.

What's more, there's plenty you can do to encourage blue-tongue lizards into your yard.

Why blue-tongue lizards need your help

Blue-tongue lizards rely on bluff tactics for survival. When threatened, they'll open their mouths wide and stick out their broad blue tongue. They may even hiss and puff up to make themselves look fiercer.

These tactics are great against many natural dangers. But if blue-tongues are to prosper in close contact with us, they need a little extra help to keep them safe from harm.

What blue-tongues like and dislike

Blue-tongues love:

A warm spot in a sunny part of your yard, near shelter. Even beside your water heater!
A safe place to hide, usually in gaps between rocks or bricks, a wood pile, or in a clay pipe.
Food – especially snails, slugs, caterpillars and beetles.
Shrubs and rocks, which provide safe paths around the garden and protection from predators.

But they don't like:

Snail and slug bait, which will poison them when they eat contaminated snails or slugs.
Cats and dogs, which frighten or even attack them.
Being handled, as they dislike losing contact with solid ground.

Be a blue-tongue buddy

Try to:

Leave rocks in your garden for blue-tongues to use as shelter.
Plant low growing shrubs so lizards can move safely around your yard. The Flora for Fauna website tells you which plants to grow to attract blue-tongues.
Make gardens along fences to provide safe walkways.
Keep a watchful eye on your dog and cat if near where blue-tongues live.
Feed pets inside or collect uneaten pet food, to avoid luring blue-tongues into danger.
Walk your driveway to check for sunbaking blue-tongues before driving out.
Check grass is clear of blue-tongues before mowing.

Avoid:

Using pesticides or snail baits where blue-tongues feed.
Handling blue-tongues. Gently wrap in a towel or sweep into a box to move them back to your garden.
Stepping on blue-tongues on paths, terraces and other warm, sunny places.
Moving cut branches or bricks once blue-tongues have taken up residence.

Don't be surprised if blue-tongues:

Get thin tails and lose condition during winter.
Survive well with several toes, or even limbs, missing.
Come inside the house or laundry.

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Photo John Blay
Blotched Blue tongue lizard

More information

See a few more blue-tongue facts

Get a more detailed factsheet on the Australian Museum website.

Visit the Flora for Fauna website, which tells you which plants to grow to attract blue-tongues.