Several captive animals have lived for 20 years, and they may live much longer. Of all the blue-tongues, the Eastern Blue-tongue has the largest litters and the smallest young up to 19 (but usually about 10) young are born, each measuring 130-140 mm in total length and weighing 10-20 g.Įastern Blue-tongues probably become adults at about three years of age when they have a total length of about 400 mm. The young are ready to look after themselves straight after birth, and disperse within a few days. At birth, the young eat the placental membranes, and within a few days shed their skin for the first time. The embryos develop in the female's oviduct with the help of a placenta, which is as well-developed as that of many mammals. The Eastern Blue-tongue is able to breed every year if it has sufficient food but other species of blue-tongue may often skip a year. The Eastern Blue-tongue usually gives birth between December and January. Life history cycleįemale blue-tongues give birth three to five months after mating, between December and April. The tail stump rapidly heals and a shorter regenerated tail grows back after a while. If handled roughly by their tail, Eastern Blue-tongues, particularly young ones, may drop the tail. A frightened blue-tongue may bite if it is picked up. If the threat does not go away, blue-tongues may hiss and flatten out the body, making themselves look bigger. This display, together with the large size of the head, may frighten off predators. When threatened, blue-tongues turn towards the threat, open their mouth wide and stick out their broad blue tongue that contrasts vividly with the pink mouth.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |