Shingle-backed Skink Tiliqua rugosus/(rugosa) (prev. Trachydosurus rugosus)

Shingle-back Skinks are native to dry habitats of southern Australia. They have blue tongues and are closely related to the Blue-tongued Skink species; recently they have been reclassified into the same genus (Tiliqua) as the Blue-tongues, but not all authorities follow this. As their name indicates, they have beady, bumpy scales which help protect them from some predators.

Their colour varies from dark brown to yellow and there are often yellow scales on their sides. In addition to being the only skinks to have such bumpy scales, they also have a very short, fat, rounded tail looking like another head. This also confuses predators and is a fat store for lean winter months. Despite not having a long tail, adults can reach 35 cm length. This mainly herbivorous skink has one other most unusual feature for skinks (and reptiles): it is monogamous, seeking out the same partner each year.