Mating behaviour in the blotched blue-tongued lizard, Tiliqua nigrolutea, in captivity

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Southern or blotched blue-tongued lizards, Tiliqua nigrolutea, are large, viviparous skinks distributed throughout southeastern Australia (Cogger, 1992). Adult males can range from 25-29 cm snout-vent length (SVL) and weigh between 300 and 450 g, with females somewhat larger and heavier. In Tasmania, where this study was conducted, blue-tongued lizards occur in low altitude heath, savanna woodland and dry sclerophyll forest in the cool temperate regions of the state (Rawlinson, 1974). We studied the reproductive biology of blue-tongued lizards for five years during a PhD project examining the roles of steroid hormones in reproductive physiology and behaviour, and here we describe our observations of mating behaviours in blue-tongued lizards in captivity.