Open up and say Ahhhh (Lizard)

Saw this gut enjoying the sun while the wife and I were out walking in one of the local national parks yesterday. This is a Shingleback Lizard also known as a sleeply or stumpy. They are a very slow lizard (hence the nickname sleepy) and as such eat more plats than insects but do like to eat whatever slow insects they can find. They have a very strong jaw for crushing and do have teeth, but have no poisons/toxins.

When threatened they open their mouth to make their head look bigger and display the blue tongue. They also quite often will hiss when doing this.

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Wow, Mitcon! What a tongue on that critter! Nicely done.

Damn you
Mine was happy you seem to have found Mr Nasty
They make great pets too. But I prefer them in the wild these days.

They just love to lick the juice from a cut tomato

Great shots. I also enjoy your explanations of your photos...they are like crash courses in Australian wildlife, thanks!

These lizards are all bluff. But don't get a finger in their. They grow to a little over a foot long and mate for life. Unfortunately they are pretty slow moving and often seen squashed on the road by drivers who could care less and run over them.

Thanks for the comments guys, your right too Peter. I had some friends who had one of these and a bearded for pets. I used to love watching the bearded go after crickets, but I also agree totally and prefer them and all other animals for that matter to be out in the wild where they belong.

What an unusual looking Lizard, but nice shots of it. Thanks for sharing.
-Bruce

Great shots. Like the lizards posture in the first one.

Great shots, very sharp and colorful, Well done, excellent capture.