Bruce
Blue tongued skink
Tiliqua scincoides intermedia
Born:
2004
Northern Australia
Native range:
My story:
Bruce had one of the most difficult beginnings imaginable. He came to me through the RSPCA following a serious cruelty case. His front feet had been deliberately cut away, and the claws had been torn from his back toes. He was severely underweight, frightened, stressed and defensive—behaviour that came from fear rather than aggression.
Bruce’s recovery took between two and three years. During that time, I carefully built up his weight, treated his damaged feet with lotions and ointments, gave him soothing baths and gradually taught him that people could be trusted. His transformation has been extraordinary.
Today, Bruce is one of the gentlest and friendliest lizards I have ever known. He comes to work with me almost every day and calmly meets thousands of people, helping them learn about reptiles while showing just how much an animal can recover with patience and kindness.
Because Bruce can no longer climb, he lives a life of luxury in a specially designed, accessible enclosure with a flat layout, comfortable hiding places and plenty to explore. His injuries certainly have not stopped him from enjoying life: he can still chase down his favourite bugs and loves using his remarkable sense of smell to search for fruit, vegetables and anything else delicious!
Did you know?
A blue-tongued skink’s famous tongue contains a secret that human eyes cannot fully see—it strongly reflects ultraviolet light! The brightest area is hidden towards the back of the tongue. When a predator gets dangerously close, the skink opens its mouth and suddenly exposes the entire tongue, producing a startling flash of blue and ultraviolet colour.
Research has shown that blue-tongues save their biggest, brightest display until the final moments of a threatening encounter, when the element of surprise matters most.