DOCSLIB.ORG

Blue-Tongued Skink

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Blue-Tongued Skink Animal Biography BLUE-TONGUED SKINK (Eastern) Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria (lizards) Family: Scincidae (skinks) Genus: Tiliqua Species: scincoides Scientific Name: Tiliqua scincoides scincoides Name Sex ID Born Acquired Notes Cornflower Female Unknown 7/3/01 *She was a part of a group from Australia *Watch her toes while handling. They may become caught in clothing Marvin Male Grey with Unknown 5/2001 *He was a part of a group from Austraila stubby tail Periwinkle Female Hatched 5/9/01 *Acquired from Taronga Zoo in Australia 12/25/99 *Was displayed in the Insect World’s display of insect eaters Venus Female End of tail is Unknown 5/2001 *She was a part of a group from Australia missing *Tail bit off by Marvin in October, 2010 Common Names: Common blue-tongued skink. Habitat and Range: Native to eastern Australia and the island of Tasmania. Found in a large range of habitats from temperate and semi-desert regions to rain forest and open scrubland. Often found in suburban gardens (where it may feed on domestic cat or dog food and fallen fruit from orchards). They are primarily diurnal, hiding in hollow logs or under ground litter at night, and foraging under cover. Description: A large, docile skink with a shortish tail and short but sturdy limbs. Light brown to silvery gray with darker cross bands on its back and tail (color patterns are extremely variable and individuals may be banded, blotched or streaked in various earth tones of brown, ochre, brick red, orange, gray and black); large, flat, cobalt blue, notched tongue. Individuals from the southeast coast of Australia have black temporal streaks on the sides of their heads, running through the eyes. The smooth, shiny scales periodically shed in flakes. Adult Size: Head to tail about 16 to 20” maximum. Voice: Hissing. Diet in the Wild: Consumes many snails (including the shells which it crunches, apparently with great relish) and other invertebrates, carrion, native fruits and berries, wildflowers. 11/2010 Animal Biography Diet at the Zoo: Combination vegetable plate (green beans, carrots, kale, mixed vegetables), crickets, meal worms, wax worms, pinkie mouse. Reproduction: Internal fertilization. Eggs are retained inside the female’s body but young (as many as 25, average 10-20) are born live. Newborns are approximately 5” long and are miniature versions of the adults. Life Span: Record in captivity is up to 20 years. Life span in the wild probably would not exceed ten. Perils: Predatory birds and mammals. Protection: Blue-tongued skinks defend themselves with bluff or escape tactics. When the tongue is fully extended, it almost doubles the silhouette of the head. Coupled with a wide open mouth flashing a neon-red lining. Blue-tongued skinks also are capable of autotomy (tail-breaking). Evidence suggests that tail loss (and regeneration) may shorten over-all life expectancy. Among other reasons for this is the fact that fat reserves are stored in the tail. Loss of these reserves may decrease survival potential during winter. Loss of tail often results in the inability to attract a mate. The re-generation never is as fat and “beautiful” as the original tail. Further, until regeneration, the lizard must cope with the loss of other tail functions such as locomotion, competing for mates, etc. Interesting Facts. The tongue serves as a sense organ by capturing biochemical particles present in the environment emitted by food, predators, mates, etc. Inside the mouth these chemicals are analyzed by a sensory organ in the palate (the vomeronasal). This structure is lined with cells which connect directly to the brain, enabling blue-tongued skinks (as well as other lizards and snakes) to detect very subtle ingredients in their immediate surroundings. Skinks can flick their tongues up to 300 times per hour. Will fight over territory. Ecology: Benign, causing no problems for humans. They provide a useful service by consuming large quantities of snails. They are very popular among reptile collectors and breeders. They are noted for their docile personalities, for their curiosity and intelligence, and for ease of maintenance. Primary References: Broaddus, J. “Blue-Tongued Skinks: Tiliqua.” Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, March/April 1994, pp. 32-39. Cogger, H.G., and R. G. Zweifel, Eds. Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Smithmark Publishing, Inc., 1992. Cogger, H.G., et. al., Eds. Encyclopedia of Animals: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians. San Francisco: Fog City Press, 1993. Weis, P. “Blue-Tongued.” Reptiles, February 1995, pp. 16-23. Wilson, J. “Bold, Beautiful, and Blue-Tongued” in Reptiles USA 2002 Annual Guide to Buying and Caring for Reptiles and Amphibians, pp. 46-59. 11/2010 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Northern Blue-Tongue Lizard)
    Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions Tiliqua scincoides intermedia (Northern Blue-tongue Lizard) Image: Copyright, Rick Shine You are invited to provide your views and supporting reasons related to: 1) the eligibility of Tiliqua scincoides intermedia (Northern Blue-tongue Lizard) for inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened species list in the Critically Endangered category and 2) the necessary conservation actions for the above species. Evidence provided by experts, stakeholders and the general public are welcome. Responses can be provided by any interested person. Tiliqua scincoides intermedia (Northern Bluetongue Skink) consultation document Page 1 of 18 Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or for a transfer of an item already on the list to a new listing category. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes the assessment of species to determine eligibility for inclusion in the list of threatened species and provides its recommendation to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment. Responses are to be provided in writing either by email to: [email protected] or by mail to: The Director Species Information and Policy Section, Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division Department of the Environment and Energy PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Responses are required to be submitted by Friday 14 May 2021. Contents of
    [Show full text]
  • Prey Capture Behavior in the Blue-Tongued Skink, Tiliqua Scincoides
    loomal of Herpeiolog'l' Vol. 33, No.3, pp. 362-369, 1999 Copyright 1999 Socety for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Prey Capture Behavior in the Blue-tongued Skink, Tiliqua scincoides TAMARA 1. SMITH,1 KENNETH V, KARDONG,I,2 AND VINCENT 1. BELS3 'Department of Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA and E-mail: [email protected] 3Institute of Agriculture, Agronomic Center of Applied Research in Hainut, rue paul PastUT, 11, B-7800 Ath, Belgium ABSTRACT.-Squamate prey capture evolved in two general directions; one toward an emphasis upon lingual prehension and the other toward an emphasis upon jaw prehension. In basal squamates (lguania), lingual prehension characterizes prey capture. All other squamates (Scleroglossa) tend to use their jaws for prey prehension and the role of the tongue as a prehensile organ is reduced. However, within some scierogJossan lizards, lingual and jaw modes of prehension are present Selection of a distinct prehension mode during a feeding bout in these lizards has been hypothesized to be related to prey size. To test for the presence of lingual prehension and correlation with prey size, we examined feeding behavior in the blue-tongued skink, Tiliqua scincoides using two prey types (mealworm and cricket>. We confirmed that this skink uses both lingual and jaw modes of prehension with accompanying characteristic jaw kinematic profiles. With crickets, only jaw prehension was exhibited, but both modes were used when feeding on equivalently sized prey, mealworms. Consequently, prehension mode is not exclusively elicited by prey size. We, therefore, hypoth­ esize that selection of prehension modes, lingual or jaws, in these basal scleroglossans also includes prox­ imate factors related to prey behavior.
    [Show full text]
  • The Male Reproductive Cycle of the Eastern Blue-Tongued Lizard Tiliqua Scincoides Scincoides (Squamata: Scincidae)
    The male reproductive cycle of the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Squamata: Scincidae) Glenn M. Shea Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006 ABSTRACT The male reproductive cycle of Tiliqua scincoides scincoides is described on the basis of variation in testis dimensions and testicular and epididymal histology of museum specimens. Sexual maturity occurs at smaller body sizes in southern Australia than in Queensland. Spermatogenesis commences in early autumn, spermiogenesis peaks in early spring, and a resting period occurs in summer. Spermiogenesis in northern populations may peak a few weeks earlier than in southern populations. The pattern of variation in testis size closely parallels the histological changes, suggesting that testis Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/rrimo/book/chapter-pdf/2644412/rzsnsw_1993_063.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 size may be used as an indicator of spermatogenesis in Tiliqua. INTRODUCTION or a combination of these criteria (Barwick 1959, 1965; Towns 1975; Robertson 1981; Vitt The reproductive cycles of skinks have and Blackburn 1983). The majority of authors received much attention in recent decades, using gross linear or volumetric data to define revealing a wide variety of reproductive reproductive cycles have assumed that changes strategies in this speciose family (Shine 1985; in testis size are strongly correlated with sperm Heatwole and Taylor 1987). By far the greater production, using as justification correlations mass of data is on female reproduction, with in distantly related taxa. However, Barwick an abundance of anecdotal and single records (1965) found that in the skink Egernia cunning- of gravid females. Even Fitch (1970), in his hami, mean testis length varied only slightly on landmark review of the reproductive cycles a seasonal basis, while testis volume and mass in squamates, concentrated on female repro- varied markedly in association with successive duction, assuming (p.6) "when fecund females stages of sperm production.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 §4-71-6.5 List of Restricted Animals [ ] Part A: For
    §4-71-6.5 LIST OF RESTRICTED ANIMALS [ ] PART A: FOR RESEARCH AND EXHIBITION SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME INVERTEBRATES PHYLUM Annelida CLASS Hirudinea ORDER Gnathobdellida FAMILY Hirudinidae Hirudo medicinalis leech, medicinal ORDER Rhynchobdellae FAMILY Glossiphoniidae Helobdella triserialis leech, small snail CLASS Oligochaeta ORDER Haplotaxida FAMILY Euchytraeidae Enchytraeidae (all species in worm, white family) FAMILY Eudrilidae Helodrilus foetidus earthworm FAMILY Lumbricidae Lumbricus terrestris earthworm Allophora (all species in genus) earthworm CLASS Polychaeta ORDER Phyllodocida FAMILY Nereidae Nereis japonica lugworm PHYLUM Arthropoda CLASS Arachnida ORDER Acari FAMILY Phytoseiidae 1 RESTRICTED ANIMAL LIST (Part A) §4-71-6.5 SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Iphiseius degenerans predator, spider mite Mesoseiulus longipes predator, spider mite Mesoseiulus macropilis predator, spider mite Neoseiulus californicus predator, spider mite Neoseiulus longispinosus predator, spider mite Typhlodromus occidentalis mite, western predatory FAMILY Tetranychidae Tetranychus lintearius biocontrol agent, gorse CLASS Crustacea ORDER Amphipoda FAMILY Hyalidae Parhyale hawaiensis amphipod, marine ORDER Anomura FAMILY Porcellanidae Petrolisthes cabrolloi crab, porcelain Petrolisthes cinctipes crab, porcelain Petrolisthes elongatus crab, porcelain Petrolisthes eriomerus crab, porcelain Petrolisthes gracilis crab, porcelain Petrolisthes granulosus crab, porcelain Petrolisthes japonicus crab, porcelain Petrolisthes laevigatus crab, porcelain Petrolisthes
    [Show full text]
  • Two Instances of Tail Regeneration And
    HTTPS://JOURNALS.KU.EDU/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANSREPTILES • VOL &15, AMPHIBIANS NO 4 • DEC 2008 • 27(3):485–486189 • DEC 2020 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS TwoFEATURE InstancesARTICLES of Tail Regeneration and . Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Wisconsin: On theOne Road to Understanding Case the Ecology ofand Conservation Tail of the Midwest’s Bifurcation Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. inKapfer 190 . The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada: AdultA Hypothetical Excursion Eastern ............................................................................................................................ Blue-tongued RobertLizards W. Henderson 198 RESEARCH ARTICLES (Tiliqua. The Texas Horned Lizardscincoides in Central and Western Texas ....................... scincoides Emily Henry, Jason Brewer,) Krista in Mougey, Australia and Gad Perry 204 . The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida .............................................Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 Matthew Mo CONSERVATION ALERT P.O. Box A290, Sydney South, NSW 1232, Australia ([email protected]) . World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 . More Than Mammals .....................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wet Tropics Bioregion Reptiles Species List
    Wet Tropics Bioregion Reptiles Species List NCA Key C - Common, V – Vulnerable, NT – Near threatened, E – Endangered, Introduced - Scientific Name Common Name NCA Acalyptophis peronii C Acanthophis antarcticus common death adder NT Acanthophis praelongus northern death adder C Acrochordus arafurae Arafura file snake C Acrochordus granulatus little file snake C Aipysurus duboisii Dubois’s sea snake C Aipysurus mosaicus mosaic sea snake C Amolosia lesueurii Lesueur’s velvet gecko C Amolosia rhombifer zig-zag gecko C Anomalopus gowi C Antaioserpens warro robust burrowing snake NT Antaresia maculosa spotted python C Aspidites melanocephalus black-headed python C Astrotia stokesii C Bellatorias frerei major skink C Boiga irregularis brown tree snake C Cacophis churchilli C Calyptotis thorntonensis NT Caretta caretta loggerhead turtle E Carlia jarnoldae C Carlia longipes C Carlia munda C Carlia rhomboidalis C Carlia rostralis C Carlia rubrigularis C Carlia schmeltzii C Carlia storri C Carlia vivax C Carphodactylus laevis chameleon gecko C Chelodina canni Cann’s longneck turtle C Chelonia mydas green turtle V Chlamydosaurus kingii frilled lizard C Coeranoscincus frontalis NT Crocodylus johnstoni Australian freshwater crocodile C Crocodylus porosus estuarine crocodile V Cryptoblepharus adamsi Adams’ snake-eyed skink C Cryptoblepharus litoralis litoralis coastal snake-eyed skink C Cryptoblepharus metallicus metallic snake-eyed skink C Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus sensu lato C Cryptoblepharus virgatus striped snake-eyed skink C Cryptophis nigrescens
    [Show full text]
  • Caring for Blue-Tongued Skinks
    Caring for Blue-Tongued Skinks There are many different subspecies of the Blue-Tongued Skink, and with this comes some differences for how to care for them in captivity. The information shared in this article is an overview for how to care for Blue-tongued skinks and it is important for keepers to research the specific subspecies they are keeping. Blue-Tongued Skink Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) averages 45 cm in length but can reach 60cm. In the wild, they are known to feed on small animals, insects, carrion, and plant material. They are commonly found in suburbia and do well in captivity, therefore making them fantastic pets. They give birth to live young and, on average, produce 6-12 offspring, but larger numbers have been recorded. What is the Blue-tongue lizards’ natural environment? Blue-tongued skinks have adapted well to woodlands, bushland, suburban and even urban areas, often inhabiting backyards. What is the average lifespan of a Blue-tongue lizard? Blue-tongued skinks have been known to live up to 30 years but average 15-20 years in captivity. How to handle a Blue-tongue lizard Blue-tongued skinks are docile and tolerant to handling, which has allowed them to become popular pets. With careful handling, they can tame easily. It is important to support the center body of your blue- tongued to minimise stress and reduce the risk of dropping or injuring them. Although it is uncommon for blue-tongued skinks to bite, human fingers can sometimes be mistaken for food, and an accidental bite with their powerful jaws can be very painful.
    [Show full text]
  • DT Challenge Python ‑ Biology Extension
    DT Challenge Python ‑ Biology Extension DT Challenge Python Year 7 Biology Extension 1 hps://aca.edu.au/challenges.html DT Challenge Python ‑ Biology Extension 1. Lists 2. Working with lists 3. Looping 4. Reading from files 5. Project: Animal classifier (hps://creavecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) The Australian Digital Technologies Challenges is an iniave of, and funded by the Australian Government Department of Educaon and Training (hps://www.educaon.gov.au/). © Australian Government Department of Educaon and Training. 2 hps://aca.edu.au/challenges.html DT Challenge Python ‑ Biology Extension 1 LISTS 1.1. Biology Extension 1.1.1. Before we begin... Welcome to the Biology Extension course! This course assumes all knowledge from the ACA Biology DT Challenge (hps://groklearning.com/course/aca‑dt‑7‑py‑biology/), which covered the following programming concepts: prinng variables user input f‑strings if statements as well as the topics in Biology: taxonomy common and scienfic names If you haven't done the previous course, then please have a look at it first. If you've just finished the previous course, great — dive on in! 3 hps://aca.edu.au/challenges.html DT Challenge Python ‑ Biology Extension 1.2. Lists of values 1.2.1. Storing mulple values Imagine wring a program to store a group of reples in alphbecal order. Given what we have done so far, you would use a separate variable for each replile name and use each variable individually to print them: reptile1 = 'crocodile' reptile2 = 'lizard' reptile3 = 'snake' print(reptile1) print(reptile2) print(reptile3) crocodile lizard snake But what if you had 100 favourite reples!? When sciensts store informaon about different animals, they don't want to update every variable each me they change something.
    [Show full text]
  • Tiliqua Scincoides) CJC Phillips*†, Z Jiang†‡, AJ Hatton‡, a Tribe†‡, M Le Bouar†§, M Guerlin†§ and PJ Murray†
    377 © 2011 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Animal Welfare 2011, 20: 377-384 The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, ISSN 0962-7286 Hertfordshire AL4 8AN, UK Environmental enrichment for captive Eastern blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) CJC Phillips*†, Z Jiang†‡, AJ Hatton‡, A Tribe†‡, M Le Bouar†§, M Guerlin†§ and PJ Murray† † Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, QLD, Australia ‡ School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Australia § Ecole Nationale Veterinaire, Toulouse, France * Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected] Abstract Eastern blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) are kept in zoos and increasingly commonly as exotic pets, but little is known about improving their welfare by enrichment of their environment. Using nine animals kept individually in cages provided with a brick for basking and a pipe for hiding, we initially investigated enriching their environment with mealworms, either scattered on the floor or inserted into a foodball. The mealworms increased the time that the lizards spent feeding on both their ration and the mealworms and increased liveweight gain. Scattering the mealworms on the floor of their cages increased the time taken to eat them, compared with taking them from the foodball. Mealworms also reduced the time that the lizards spent hiding. Second, using eight individually housed lizards and replacing the pipe with a log which could be used both for basking and hiding, we investigated whether increasing the size of their enclosure and its temperature affected their behaviour, in a two-factor changeover design with two-week periods.
    [Show full text]
  • Fauna of Australia 2A
    FAUNA of AUSTRALIA 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Mark N. Hutchinson 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Pl. 6.1. Trachydosaurus rugosus (Scincidae): very common and easily recognisable by its short, rounded tail and large, coarse scales; dry habitats in southern and eastern Australia. [H. Cogger] Pl. 6.3. Cyclodomorphus gerrardii (Scincidae): a nocturnal insectivore, found mainly in wet temperate to tropical forests in eastern Australia. [H. Cogger] 2 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Pl. 6.4. Tiliqua occipitalis (Scincidae): found in a variety of dry habitats in southern Australia from New South Wales to the west coast. [J. Wombey] Pl. 6.5. Egernia stokesii (Scincidae): seen singly here, this species typically forms ’family’ groups of all ages; among rocks and boulders in central and western Australia. [H. Cogger] 3 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Pl. 6.6. Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae (Scincidae): a nocturnal species that hides under rotting logs during the day; endemic to the wet tropics. [H. Cogger] Pl. 6.7. Carlia rhomboidalis (Scincidae):occurs in rainforest, stream margins and in similar moist habitats in north-eastern Queensland. [J. Wombey] 4 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Pl. 6.8. Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis (Scincidae): a nocturnal species, found in coastal dunes to marginal rainforest in Cape York and Torres Strait Islands. [H. Cogger] Pl. 6.9. Cryptoblepharus egeriae (Scincidae): an arboreal species that forages in the ground litter; endemic to Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. [H. Cogger] 5 31. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Pl. 6.10. Morethia ruficauda (Scincidae): uses its bright tail to distract predators; found in dry to arid areas near streams and water-holes in central and north-western Australia. [H. Cogger] Pl.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013-14 LIFE SCIENCES ADDENDUM ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT Contents
    2013-14 LIFE SCIENCES ADDENDUM ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT CONTenTS Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee Report 2013-14 1 Animal Welfare Related Incidents 2013-14 2 Overview of Animal Inventory 4 Animal Inventories Melbourne Zoo 7 Healesville Sanctuary 20 Werribee Open Range Zoo 28 2 2012-13 LIFE SCIENCES ADDENDUM • ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT ANIMAL WELFARE PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT 2013-14 1. Introduction + A person with demonstrable commitment 5. Conclusion to, and established experience in, This is the sixth report of the Zoos Victoria The Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee further ing the welfare of animals who Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee. looks forward to playing an important role is not employed or otherwise by The Committee was established in 2008 by helping Zoos Victoria deliver open and Zoos Victoria the Zoos Victoria Board to deliver improved accountable reporting and the implement- accountability and transparency for animal + A Lay Person who is independent of ation of Industry best practice policies and welfare related matters for Melbourne Zoos Victoria and who is qualified to procedures in 2014-15 and beyond. Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee practice law Open Range Zoo. + Two persons representing the Board Guided by a Charter, the Committee’s The Chairperson of the Committee is a role is to: current member of the Zoos Victoria Board. + Review and provide advice to the Board Kylie White Chairperson in relation to animal welfare incidents at 3. Activities Zoos Victoria’s three properties, including Animal Welfare Peer Review Committee The Committee met on four occasions compliance with internal procedures. Zoological Parks and Gardens Board during the financial year.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Blue-Tongued Skink Tiliqua Scincoides
    Northern Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua scincoides Class: Reptilia Order: Quamata Family: Scincidae Characteristics: Largest of lizards at 17-24 in. Wt. 10-18 oz. Long body, large head, small legs with delicate toes. Tail shorter than body, tapering to a point. Colored with dark and orange bars on light brown background. Faint eye stripes and cobalt-blue tongue. Skin consists of overlapping scales containing small plates of bone. Eardrums are sunken into cavities on sides on head. Skin is shed in pieces. Not sexually dimorphic. Behavior: Diurnal. Spends day searching for food and basking in sun maintaining a temperature of 30-35 C. Shelters at night in hollow logs, rocks or debris. Stays buried in shelter in cold weather. Ingests small stones to help digest Range & Habitat: Australia in food. When threatened may stand its ground, puff up, hiss, and stick out semi-desert, mixed woodlands and its blue tongue to startle a predator. Has powerful, painful bite even scrub lands. without well defined teeth. Can make a hasty retreat but if grabbed by rear will shed tail which will eventually grow back. Reproduction: Mating takes place in spring. Female is ovoviviparous carrying eggs which hatch in the body; 5-20 hatchlings are delivered live after 4 months gestation. Young are precocial and disperse within a few days. Newly hatched averge 4 in long and weigh about .5 oz. If they can find enough to eat, they grow quickly reaching adult size in less than a year. Diet: Wild: animal and plant materials including insects, snails, flowers, fruits and berries.
    [Show full text]