Tiliqua occipitalis

Western Blue-tongued Skink

Dark eye stripes and broad body bands frame a western blue-tongue.

Reference photo, not the individual on display. Credits appear below.

Care commitment Specialist setup

Habitat Ground & cover

Visiting Watch quietly

Meet your new acquaintance

Nickname Western Blue Tongue

Diurnal and terrestrial

Species highlights

A dark stripe beside the eye

The dark mark behind the eye resembles eyeliner, but it belongs to a whole pattern of head shape and body bands.

Age, individuals and lighting change appearance, while “western” alone cannot draw the full range across inland Australia.

Start with a memorable mark, then connect it to the scientific name, provenance and complete body. Recognition becomes a species account rather than a one-feature guess.

Feature sources:

Museums Victoria · Western Blue-tongue

At a glance

The western blue-tongue is the distinct species Tiliqua occipitalis, not a western colour form of every Australian blue-tongue. It inhabits arid and semi-arid Australia, foraging on the ground by day and using vegetation, litter or cavities to avoid unsuitable surface conditions.

Short limbs and a low body use vegetation bases, litter and cavities alongside open feeding and basking patches. Dry regional climate does not make every microhabitat equally dry.

This live-bearing omnivore uses plants and invertebrates. Eye markings, bands and a blue tongue are clues, while species identity and ecological background extend beyond a “western colour form.”

Common names Western Blue-tongued Skink; Tiliqua occipitalis

Scientific name Tiliqua occipitalis

Native rangeArid and semi-arid inland Australia across several states, rather than Western Australia alone

Adult sizeOften about 35–45 cm total length

ActivityDiurnal and terrestrial

Diet Balance suitable fibrous plant foods with nutritionally appropriate invertebrates. Adjust portions to body condition, limit fruit and avoid a repetitive or fatty diet.

Habitat & care

Provide ventilated ground space, local basking, UVB and a locally moist refuge. Avoid constant dampness and overly energy-rich feeding.

Values guide routine care, not breeding or brumation. Dimensions are length × width × height for one adult unless stated otherwise; larger animals need more space.

TemperatureLocal warm area About 43°C The breeder’s localized 110°F hot-spot reference, not a whole-enclosure air setting. Measure the cool end separately and provide a dry retreat.

HumidityDry & ventilated Do not apply an Indonesian blue-tongue 60–80% scheme. The checked breeding account gives no single RH number; provide water and a humid retreat.

LightingUVB & shade Choose UVB intensity and distance for the species, with a fully shaded retreat.

Space120×60×60 cm Recommended starting size; provide warm and cool hides, water and unobstructed movement routes.

Look a little closer

Find the dark marking behind the eye and trace how bands change across back and flank. At litter or a retreat entrance, follow the order in which limbs, trunk and tail pass one point. Watch pauses and tongue-flicks as part of its exploration.

Care note: Avoid stagnant moisture and a repetitive, calorie-heavy diet.

About this profile

Size ranges are reference values; sex, origin and age affect appearance.

Profile status: Reference profile · Reviewed 2026-10-20

References (4)

Photo: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiliqua_occipitalis.jpg Public domain · Original image, credit and licence

Behaviour notes describe the species, not a promise about every individual. These care notes introduce its needs; ask our team about the animal on display and any supervised encounters.