I first saw this young Shingleback lizard about three weeks ago as it was walking up from the house dam.
We had an encounter again on Saturday 31st October. This time it had taken up residence in my back door garden. Ignoring common sense but noticing it was looking a bit 'thin on it' I dropped a little 'care package' of fresh minced pet meat (chemical-free) which disappeared almost before it touched the soil!
Last Saturday, I noticed it bolting up a path on the northern side of my house while I was moving a hose. I might well have watered it but who is to know. It came round the corner of the house towards the back door and again, I felt a little pang of pity so I brought out a small bit of banana.
This is what happened in seconds!
(Click images to enlarge)
Applying the Sniff Test
Passes Taste Test
Now for the Scoff!
Tiliqua rugosa.
I will probably pamper this little guy whilst it wants to live in my garden but only once a week. The rest of the time it can earn its keep by reducing my snail population! :-)
I checked a couple of Herp. sites just to be sure I was feeding the right kind of food. Some fruits, leafy vegetables (not Iceberg lettuce, apparently) and fresh mince meat. I think I read they can eat grated carrot, but if it wants that on the menu, it will have to grate its own! Tinned pet food is a no-no.
A comment from one of the Herpetology websites I visited stands out in my mind. They are little PIGS apparently !! :-)
12 comments:
Nice one! Lots of Blotched Blue-tongues and Mountain Dragons getting around our backyard lately.
I treed a Lace Monitor several weeks ago whilst on orchid safari, Mosura. The first one I've seen for 10 to 15 years.
I rather like the reptiles, moreso those with legs! :-)
Had my first encounter with an Eastern Brown snake a few days ago. Not wearing my Chinese workboots outside any more! :-)
Nice to have a tame Shingleback around.
I have only once seen a Blue Tongue here - it went under my front verandah as if it owned the place - which is fine by me. But I have not seen it since.
Cheers
Denis
I've not seen them in the garden since I've lived here,(7 years) Denis. They were at the old property, though.
I caught sight of another one yesterday - much larger than the little bloke eating the banana. We've had over a week of 35+deg so they are pretty active here at the moment.
G'day JL,
Nice one. I think the Sback knows when it's on to a good thing.
Gouldiae
Hello Gouldiae - I've only just found your comment. Sorry for the delay!
Yes, this little Stumpy owns me!! It turned up at the back door again a few days ago and took over the laundry after it had scoffed a bit of banana and a bit of fresh pet mince.
I am my own worst enemy!!! :-)
How kind of you. I like to encourage the wild critters in my garden.
One year, I kept picking up a small ground snake when I weeded etc. I was shocked too many times and he was relocated to the woods.
Hello Gail,
I can imagine your encounter with the ground snake. Are they Garter Snakes? We have legless lizards here in Australia which could easily be confused for small snakes.
Generally, seeing a snake in the garden means you leave what you are doing and allow the snake to move on! We have some extremely toxic ones here.
I would be scared silly if I saw that scary animal in my back garden :)
Nice picture though...
Oh wow!! Such a treat! I wish I could sit outside and looked hungry until some one gave me a treat.
Just browsing and saw this, you're feeding him correctly, and they will eat almost anything you put there. Cute little guy.
Sorry if this is too random.
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