The Blotched Blue-tongue is one of Australia’s most distinctive large skinks and a species that often surprises people in the Greater Sydney region. Most Sydneysiders are familiar with the Eastern Blue-tongue, which is common in backyards across the city, but far fewer realise that this cool-climate specialist also lives on the outskirts of Sydney – especially in the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, and other elevated, cooler areas. For anyone living above about 600 metres, this species is far more likely to be the local “garden blue-tongue” than its eastern cousin.
Although the two species look superficially similar, the Blotched Blue-tongue is a separate, darker, and more heavily patterned animal, built for cooler conditions and thriving in climates that the Eastern Blue-tongue generally avoids. Residents who encounter this species often contact Sydney Snake Catcher for identification, especially when the lizard appears unusually dark or red-blotched. Most of the time, that’s exactly what it is.
The Blotched Blue-tongue is not widespread across Sydney, but instead occurs in cool, elevated areas. Its presence around the city is mostly tied to temperature and rainfall.
Common areas include:
Occasional sightings
If you live in Penrith, the Inner West, the Eastern Suburbs, or coastal Sydney, you will almost certainly never see this species naturally.
The Eastern Blue-tongue is one of Sydney’s most recognisable reptiles and a species almost every homeowner has encountered at some stage. Whether it’s basking beside a garden shed, sliding under a retaining wall, or ambushing snails in the veggie patch, this large, slow-moving skink has become part of suburban life throughout the city. For many people, it’s the first reptile they ever learn to identify, and it remains the most commonly photographed and sent to Sydney Snake Catcher for confirmation.
Friendly, harmless, and genuinely beneficial to have around the yard, the Eastern Blue-tongue is an important predator of snails, slugs, beetles, and insects. As Sydney continues to expand, this species has adapted remarkably well to gardens, parks, bushland, and even industrial precincts, making it one of the most successful reptiles in the Greater Sydney region.
Eastern Blue-tongues are widespread throughout Sydney and one of the few reptiles equally comfortable in both natural habitat and residential environments.
Common areas include:
Wherever there is shelter and food, blue-tongues will thrive.
