|
|
|
Blehhhhh!
 |
| Photo Information |
Copyright: Alli Hemingway (annagrace)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 18 N: 851]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (2996) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-07-09 |
| Categories: Reptiles |
| Camera: Olympus C4000Z |
| Exposure: f/5.0, 1/160 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-07-10 8:42 |
| Viewed: 1381 |
| Points: 14 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I took this photo at Zoo Atlanta yesterday. This is an Eastern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides)
Common blue-tongued skinks belong to a family containing over 600 species of lizards, Scincidae. Together they are members of the genus Tiliqua, a group of six species of large blue-tongued skinks that are found in Australia and eastern Indonesia.
The eastern blue-tongued skink can be found in coastal and montane woodlands and forests, to less arid parts of the Australia’s interior.
Common blue-tongued skinks are omnivores and feed on a variety of animal and plant materials including insects, snails, flowers, fruits and berries
About 50% of skink species lay eggs; the others bear live young. The majority of those that bear live young carry eggs internally which are hatched just before the young leave their mother’s body. Blue-tongued skinks carry shell-less membrane-enclosed “egg” sacs internally, which rupture and “hatch” as the sacs are expelled from the mother’s body.
Females normally give birth to about 10 live young, but can produce up to 25 young in a litter. Newly hatched young average 4 inches (10 cm) in length and weigh about .5 ounce (14 gr).
The common blue-tongued skink is a diurnal, ground-dwelling lizard. It has a broad, flat body, short limbs and tail, and smooth, overlapping scales which help to keep out dirt, sand and other debris.
The common blue-tongued skink spends the majority of its day searching the ground for food and basking in the sun. At night it seeks shelter in logs, leaf litter or other ground debris. Although a normally shy and docile animal, when disturbed it will stand its ground and present a formidable appearance. Puffing up its broad, flat body, it can transform itself into a larger, more threatening opponent. Opening its bright, pink mouth and thrusting out a startling blue tongue, it will emit a loud hiss. Although a blue-tongued skink has no well defined teeth, it is capable of a powerful and painful bite, and will tenaciously hang on to its adversary. A blue-tongued skink can make a hasty retreat, and if grabbed from the rear by a predator will shed its tail. The lost portion of the tail will eventually grow back.
I was disappointed that I didn't get the whole tongue in the frame but I was lucky to get a photo with it sticking out since they move so rapidly. |
sAner, liquidsunshine, marhowie, Comandante, Luc has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
hello Alli:D what a photo:D hehehe:D nice shot and nice POV:D nice funny capture with title it is exellent:)
rgs
Malgosia
- sAner
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4744) - [2005-07-10 10:11]
-
Hahaha, Alli. This is a funny picture. Funny creature, funny title. :) Too bad you didn't frame it's entire tongue. Well done & TFS!
Regards,
Pieter
Haha...a night on the beer with Alan!! or have you put a saucer of Smithwicks down for him!!
Great shot Alli,
Well composed, good detail, comedy title and pose.
Nicely captured and good POV.
Thanks for posting, have a good week.
Hello Alli!
What a great tongue;).Details,sharpness,POV and composition are excellent.Thanks for sharing.
-
- Luc
(14729)
- [2005-07-11 7:59]
-
Hello Alli!
Personal assessment of the photo: great even without the complete tongue.
Strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: more than complete.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Have a good week!
Interesting closeup Alli, Cute title, great POV and "tongue" action! ;-) Excellent note, Well done!
It certainly is blue!
The closenes allows us to almost feel the texture of the scales on the head.
Well done.
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 221 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(0)