Intruder Alert!
I was walking around my pool area the other day investigating some slight damage that may have been caused by our recent floods. My friend Beninoz was with me, and he noticed one of the bricks of the patio flooring seemed to be raised a little higher than the others. So he lifted it back.
This is what we found……
Beninoz, who knows a lot about the wildlife around here, immediately identified it as a blue tongued skink lizard. Me, when I first saw it, thought it was a snake. The only thing that surprised me was that I didn’t run like billio.
One of us had to pick up the skink and one of us had to go and fetch a box to put in. I chose to go and get the box. My bravery levels are still is set at “low”. You may wonder why we had to put it in a box anyway, why didn’t we just leave it there? Good question.
The thing is, there is soon to be a bit of building work going on in my backyard and the chances are this beautiful skink would get squashed! We really don’t want that to happen. As it turns out, Ben knows quite a bit about skinks and would like to establish more of them on his acreage. Acreage means he has a bigger back garden than me and therefore can offer a nicer and safer place for this beauty to live in.
So although our little friend may seem a little bit upset at his own capture, and who wouldn’t be, it’s all for the good in the long run.
There are 39 different types of skink in the Brisbane area alone. They are harmless, although this one, at around 10 inches long, is capable of giving a nasty bite. Apparently, when cornered, it will go for your finger and if it gets a good chunk it will try its best to hold on. We believe this one would have been a fair old age, as they start out the size of a small inch long worm.
They can be domesticated but that is not what is going to happen to this one. He or she will be settled in to its new home, not as an intruder but as a welcome guest. Free to roam the land and eat plants and small animals. Aahh!
Next week, back to nasty stuff.
Looks like something nibbled his tail when he was younger.
Yes, I noticed that. Had a little squabble, hasn’t he?
they are very cute arent they
Cute as!
is that skink squeking!
It’s more of a hiss really, he’s trying to frighten us away. He calmed down when we relocated him to a safer environment.
I have bred a few of them. They are about three inches plus when born and soft as silk. We rescued one froma vandalised house that had been covered in green enamel paint. His little legs were stuck to his body. We covered him in baby oil and slowly and softly were able to soften it and eventually peel it all off him. It isn’t unusual for a mum to have 10 to 15 babies at once.
They are cute little things, aren’t they? Do they become domesticated?
Ye-es…ish. You have to realise that they aren’t particularly intelligent animals.. Mostly hindbrained and instinctive but they do become used to you and quiet. They are nice pets and easy to care for.
I’m not that bright either, so I reckon they’d be a good pet for me.
Thanks Kym!