"One of my all time favourite animals, native to Australia and completely harmless. These little guys (and sometimes big fellas) are commonly mistaken for snakes and other venomous critters but are just friendly skinks. Found all throughout Australia, from the bush to suburban backyards, they are excellent for gardens!

Many Aussies are terrified of these little chunky boys and get quite a shock when I just pick them up. The amount of "rescues" called in to me for healthy blue-tongues in someones backyard just because the person is scared is simply absurd. Let these cuties be, wildlife education is important.

For other Aussies reading this and those interested in stats, over 80% of the rescues reported (that are actually injured) for these guys are attacked by OUR dogs and cats with the majority of the last 20% being hit by cars. I have never received any reports of a blue-tongue injuring a person or a pet, even when cruel people deliberately hurt them, they have not "fought" back. Humans with our cars and our domestic pets are the real danger, not the friendly neighbourhood lizard :)"