Kay Mooney reminds us to look out for our harmless blue tongue lizards... These gentle, charming, Islanders do no harm, they are good to have around the garden cleaning up pests like snails and caterpillars. My neighbour Fey has been encouraging them in her garden for years, she says they like chopped up pineapple or grated apple or a bit of mince meat. At the moment many blue tongues are pregnant. They're slow, and usually easy to miss on the road (unless you are going too fast, rushing to catch the ferry maybe) so cut them a little slack, slow down and missed them when they are on the road, they are just one of our delightful island inhabitants.
A few facts: Proper name Tiliqua Scincoides Scincoides. The largest member of the skink family with a size between 30 and 60 cm. September to November is mating season gestation 3 to 5 mths. they have up to 25 young and live up to 30 years, if you don't flatten them with the car! Their biggest predator is US, by lawn mowers, cars, cats and dogs; also currawongs kookaburras and snakes. And yes, their tongues are blue!
Also postscript feedback highlighting the need for care all around, from another Islander to our article about koala attacks:
I hope replying here is the appropriate way to respond to the articles in the newsletter.....
l'd like to have my say about the dog/s attacking the koalas....a truly horrible situation and dreadful death to suffer though l believe there are some people on the Island who might enjoy some finger pointing and nah nah nah...l told you so school yard behaviour. l'm sure it has occurred to some others that this sudden onslaught is very likely a new dog on the scene...maybe holiday maker or newcomer to the Island. Yes, l am a new comer and l have a dog and l walk her off the lead probably 90% of her life but she is very well trained, 91 in dog years, arthritic and at night curled up on her sheep skin snoring and farting....so l know she's innocent.Don't be too quick to blame you may just make a fool of yourself.
(Name provided)
