Trachydosaurus rugosus

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Family

Scincidae (Skinks)

Genus

Trachydosaurus

Species

rugosus

Common name/s

Shingleback, Bob-tail, Stumpy-tail, Sleepy Lizard

Distinguishing Features

The Shingleback has a large triangular head. Its tail is short and stumpy and may be confused with its head from a distance. Their body and legs are also broad and stocky. Shingleback's have a blue tongue, like their close relatives the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard and the Blotched Blue-tongued Lizard.  They are dark above, with very large scales giving the texture of a pine cone. They can be over 40cm in length, but generally are shorter in the ACT region at around 25cm.

Similar Species

The Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides ) and Blotched Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea ) are somewhat similar to the Shingleback, and are closely related. However, the Shingleback is easily recognisable, as it has much larger scales and a stumpy tail.

Distribution

Shinglebacks occur over much of the drier regions of southern Australia. Their range stretches from southern Queensland, through NSW, western Victoria and South Australia into Western Australia. The Shingleback range extends into the dry environments of the northern ACT, including occasionally the northern suburbs of Canberra. Sometimes Shinglebacks are also found in other parts of the ACT, this results from captive Shinglebacks being released or escaping reptile keepers.

Country of Origin

Australia

Survey Techniques

Pitfall trapping and hand searching

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

A common species, not listed as threatened under the EPBC Act 1999

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Shinglebacks are at the edge of their range around the ACT, so are not as common as in other locations. They are listed as exempt under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 and may be kept by hobbyists with no prior experience of keeping lizards (see Reptile Policy)

LSCCES Population

Not common in suburban Canberra

Associated vegetation community

Dry sclerophyll forest, Mallee woodlands and Shrublands

Limiting Resources

Because of their wide diet, food is not a limiting factor for Shinglebacks, however, in moister areas, other species out compete the Shingleback.

Breeding

Shingleback's give birth to live young, with an average of two very large young born (up to half the length of Adult) during summer. Adults pair up for life, although they will only spend time together during the Spring mating season.

Behaviour

Shinglebacks are diurnal. They shelter in tussock grasses, under fallen timber or under rocks; they will also use other animals' burrows. Shinglebacks have a home range, which expands somewhat during the active Spring months; this range can overlap with that of other Shinglebacks. Shinglebacks will often hiss loudly when threatened.

Functional Group

Omnivorous

Food Species

Flowers, fruit, carrion and slow-moving invertebrates (including the common garden snail).

Predators

Predators of the Shingleback include birds such as the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), snakes including the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis ) as well as cats and dogs.

Interesting Fact

Formerly known as Tiliqua rugosa

Shinglebacks can live to 20 years of age.

There is a German website (in English) dedicated to the species: http://www.trachydosaurus.de/index.html

The tail can act as a decoy for predators, but also provides storage for fat during winter hibernation.