19/04/2026
🦎 Local Legend: The "Armour-Plated" Bobtail
If you’ve been walking our coastal paths in Cottesloe lately, you might have spotted a Shingleback (Tiliqua rugosa)—also known as a Bobtail or Sleepy Lizard—looking a bit "crusty" or even followed by a miniature version of itself.
Our local Bobtails are some of the most fascinating residents of the dunes. Here are a few things you might not know about these scaly neighbors:
👕 Out with the Old!
Spotted a Bobtail with peeling skin? Don't worry, they aren't sick! Unlike snakes that shed in one piece, Bobtails moult in thick, papery patches about 2 to 4 times a year.
They often use coastal scrub or limestone rocks to help rub the old skin off.
Beneath that dull, greyish layer is a fresh, glossy set of "armour" ready for the season!
🐣 Go Big or Go Home
Bobtails don't lay eggs; they give birth to live young. As you can see in the photos, the "babies" are massive—often weighing up to one-third of their mother's body weight! Because they are born so well-developed, they are ready to survive in the dunes almost immediately. We are seeing new babies at present in Cottesloe.
🛡️ Two Heads are Better Than One?
Ever wondered why their tail is so short and stumpy? To a hungry bird of prey, the tail looks just like the head. If a predator attacks the "wrong" end, the Bobtail has a much better chance of surviving the encounter.
💙 How to be a Good Neighbor:
Drive Aware: Bobtails love basking on warm paths and roads to kickstart their metabolism. Keep an eye out .
Give Space: If they feel threatened, they’ll show you their famous bright blue tongue. They are saying "I’m not a snack!"
Keep Dogs and Cats Contained: Our local lizards are slow-movers and very vulnerable to roaming pets.
