Tiliqua nigrolutea
Silhouette: David Orr · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%
The blotched blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea), also known as the southern blue-tongued lizard or blotched blue-tongued lizard, is a blue-tongued skink endemic to south-eastern Australia. This species is a relatively large member of the skink family (Scincidae) with a robust body and relatively short limbs. Colouration and pattern varies geographically, with two distinct forms recognised by some herpetologists, i.e lowlands and highlands. The lowlands form tends to be shades of grey or brown with paler silvery to tan coloured blotches along the back, that are contrasted by surrounding darker areas. The highlands form is typically darker (often jet black) that provides a strong contrast to much paler cream or more brightly coloured pink, salmon or orange coloured blotches.
They have a fleshy blue tongue that is used to taste the air and scare off potential predators. They tend to rely on camouflage and bluff as their primary means of defence; however, if cornered or molested, they can put on an impressive and effective defensive display. If further molested, it will bite as a last resort and although the bite can be painful due to its powerful jaws, the teeth... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Schönbrunn Zoo | 🇦🇹 Austria | |
| 3 | East Coast Natureworld | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Gorge Wildlife Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Greenville Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Sea Life Sydney Aquarium | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Cairns Aquarium | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Wild Life Sydney | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | AOAO Sapporo | 🇯🇵 Japan | |
| 12 | átoa | 🇯🇵 Japan | |
| 13 | Trowunna Wildlife Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Blotched Bluetongue sighting in Melbourne on a given day, based on 279 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 8th most-seen of the 23 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
October to February
In those months about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Blotched Bluetongue in Melbourne on a given day, against under 5% in July, the lowest month.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Blotched Bluetongue sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Blotched Bluetongue sightings, Melbourne has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Hobart (Australia, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Blotched Bluetongue is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Melbourne (279 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
