We haven’t seen our resident bluetongue lizard for 2-3 months. They are cold-blooded reptiles and at the onset of winter, all bluetongues enter a dormant phase, called “brumation”, though this is not a true hibernation. On the warmest winter days they may come out to bask for short periods but no feeding takes place.
Then today on my morning stroll around the garden I saw him sunning on his regular rock. Jack rushed off to bring him some meat. I had gone round the garden looking for “patterns” as this is the theme from Leya for this weeks “Lens-artists photo challenge”. How perfect is this…
The lovely combination of browns, creams, fawns and that tinge of rust. Notice how the colours blend with the rock. Look at his tiny leg, when he is warmed up he can slither quite quickly under the rock.
I tried to catch his tongue, it is quite long, but the camera was not fast enough, this was all I caught of that bright blue tongue.
Thank you Bluey for turning up today…
He’s handsome, Pauline. I haven’t heard the word brumation before, so again, I’ve learnt something new.
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It was a new word to me too, I looked up to see how long they normally “hibernate” and found that word
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Reading your post taught me about Brumation. I have never heard of that before. Your close up photos of the lizard are really good. I’ve seen these lizards before but never observed them as carefully as you have here.
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I think they like our warmer climate over here. A sign of spring to see him back out. Hope the shift is going well
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Yes, making progress – its a bit of a muddle as the end draws closer. 🙂
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Brumation? I am not alone my computer’s spell check does not know that word either.
I looked it up and learned it is shorter than saying ‘Bluetongues are not very active in winter.’
But a few extra words are not wasted when you are talking to people like me,
Who just assumed you meant hibernation.
Bluetongues are harmless and can be handled, once they loose their fear, they like warm hands.
I like them to stay cautious that’s why I use a long piece of wire to feed them.
I have hidden short pieces of PVC pipe all around our fence line so they have shelter from predators Like dogs and cats. Every year around spring one comes out from a specially built hideaway.
Pauline usually notices them first they are our friends there are no snails or slugs in our garden.
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We certainly miss him during winter, so it is good to se him back. Yes I hope next doors cat keeps away
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It really was perfect for the word this week – patterns and camo and texture
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I thought so too Yvette
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Blue Tongues are one of my favourite lizards. Great photos 🙂
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They are certainly great asset in the garden, just hope a cat doesn’t get him….
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I hope so to
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Perfect timing from the little guy ☺☺
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Certainly was Jo
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A completely perfect time for this little one to come out and display his patterns! In harmony with his surroundings as well – lovely shots. The blue tongue shows even if not that much – but I guess they are fast.
And – I learned a new word, brumation, thank you for that as well. A very pleasant part of blogging is about words too! Wishing you two – or three – a lovely Sunday!
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Thanks Leya. Blogging has so many joys, the community involvement and travelling the world and yes learning new words too
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😊
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Marvellous!
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Never heard of this creature Pauline – you Aussies do get some amazing critters over there! So glad you caught a piece of that tongue, the color is amazing! He works for our pattern challenge as well as last week’s blue!
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I wish I could catch his tongue out. They open their mouth wide, stick the tongue ou, swell their neck and hiss to scare away predators. They look quite scary. But that is only if they are cornered, usually they will run away
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What a lovely garden resident! We have some common lizards in our backyard. I have noticed fewer snails…Jack has me wondering if they’re helping there? I’ll do some research to see what they eat.
I’ve seen in a zoo the blue tongued skink. Are these two related?
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Yes skink is just another name for them. How big are your lizards? We also have small sun lizards about the length of your little finger
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Our resident lizards- we have 2 big ones, and I’ve seen two little itty bitty new ones that must be juveniles. Ours are about 4 inches long. I’m not sure what their proper name is though. 😭
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What wonderful captures of this colorful patterned lizard, Pauline. You have so much abundance in your garden. 🙂
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He is very good at keeping the snail population down too, he earns his keep
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Good for him! 🙂
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Always great to see our resident wildlife turn up. It means the warmer weather is here
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I want one in my garden!! Lovely photos PP.
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We never see any SnS in our garden with him on patrol
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I know… does he fancy a holiday abroad?
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I think he could’ve survived in your heat this summer Jude
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Perhaps not today!
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Oh dear is it reverting back to “normal”?
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Seems like it!
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Loved the shots, especially the one of just part of his body and the one leg, because it’s hard at first to tell which way is which. 🙂 Perfect for the pattern challenge.
janet
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His little tiny legs always amuse me
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Does he chase wallabies away?
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I think he would if one turned up….
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tee hee
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Great timing Bluey!
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I thought so too Gilly
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Certainly a good choice for patterns. The lizard actually looks a lot like a snake. still beautiful though (and o are snakes but the are a eerie beautiful due to our experience/ learned knowledge of them
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Because of their little legs that sometimes may not be seen, they are mistaken for snakes and some people automatically kill snakes. I think that is sad as they are beautiful and if left alone will usually get out of your way
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Indeed
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What wonderful markings he has.. and lucky lizard to get hand fed.. 🙂
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A sign of spring on the way when he turns up. Always good to see him
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