BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

This is for Blotch.

I noticed a little discussion on the "Classifieds" forum.

From Common snakes & lizards of Australia by D. R. McPHEE.

So.. southern is another term for blotch.
Interesting stuff Geoff, thanks for posting!

We'll see what Luke says about this one!


f.C

First off, Thanks for Posting Geoff!

In regards to my comments in the classifieds post, In our beloved country it's Extremely UNCOMMON for them to be known as a southern blue tongue, so much so, you could say that they're not called that, even though it is a term that could be used. Realistically speaking, If you were to ask most herpers what a Blotched Bluey is - they'd know - however if you were to ask what a southern Blue tongue is - I would say you'd have quite a few strange looks coming your way followed by either a "huh?" or a "Do you mean a blotchie?"

Now I wasn't debating that is a used term (although RARE) - but even you'd have to agree that the majority of people Australia wide that actually know blueys, would know a blotchie as a blotchie rather than a southern. Apart from that - most people don't even know there are different types of Blueys let alone a blotchie or a southern etc...

Would you agree?

hahaha,a decent reply luke,i have to admit i havnt heard them being called southern blueys much,but when i hear the term,i always assume blotched,being as they range the furtherest south,how come most books under state how big certain species get, and looking at the common names in that book geoff,it must be an oldy,never heard of them being commonly called carpet lizards or piebald lizards,but a good post,lol,thanks for sharing

Blotch,

This is actually what you stated in the "classified" post.

Blotch wrote:As i said - it's never called a "Southern BTS" - It's always called a blotched or a blotchie.

No matter what that book says - I've NEVER heard of blotchies called Southern BTS's other than this site. So I would think it's a term from international keepers - not from Aussies.

A little bit different to what you stated above.

So now you know. It has been called Southern Blue tongue in Australia though it is not regularly used now.

I'm showing my age here. That book was my reptile field guide when I was a eight years old. I have the 2nd edition published in 1963.

Well at least if we see someone selling an ultra-rare, never before seen, one of a kind marbled or piebald or carpet lizard at an exhorbitant price then we'll know what it is!

I've never heard of them referred to as southern lizards but I think most Australians or people with knowledge of Australian geography would guess that it is a blotched. Then again, maybe not, as most people here outside of the hobby know them simply as bluetongues or 'eeeeww snake' regardless of what flavour inhabits their area.

i have never heard of them being called southern however it does make sense but i definatley no i havent heard of a piebald carpet or marbled lizard what the??

Yeah agree luke, well said

f.C

Try finding Southern Blue Tongue on Google.

My wifes father called them wrigglers and other names as he knew em in the 1950's.

Geoff Gates wrote:Blotch,

This is actually what you stated in the "classified" post.

Blotch wrote:As i said - it's never called a "Southern BTS" - It's always called a blotched or a blotchie.

No matter what that book says - I've NEVER heard of blotchies called Southern BTS's other than this site. So I would think it's a term from international keepers - not from Aussies.

A little bit different to what you stated above.

So now you know. It has been called Southern Blue tongue in Australia though it is not regularly used now.

I'm showing my age here. That book was my reptile field guide when I was a eight years old. I have the 2nd edition published in 1963.

I wrote a whole reply and realized I was just repeating myself so I'll just point to my previous reply and add this:

In regards to the international term comment, I stand corrected.

I don't think my reply was much different to my original original comment in the classifieds, just more involved.

Oh, and I laughed with the positive remarks about my reply. Thanks guys!

Yup in Australia blotchies are blotchies not southern or marbled or piebald or carpet or whatever

I've heard them called Southerns once or twice but it's DEFINETELY not common. I cant say i've heard marbled,piebald or carpet lizard though

When i hear the term Blotchie ,I think of Ralphies (alpines),not low lands

Ohhh, Luke. The only reason any of this is being said is because you 100% shot down that the term even or ever existed.

The only reason I mention it on the Blotched page is because of the many aussies (from all different areas of the country) who refer to them as the Southern in emails. Sooo, maybe they're not called that near your home, but I'm sure they're called that more often in different areas. Especially with the older guys.

Thanks for the scan, Geoff! One of the newer Jerry Walls books mentions it as the Southern as well I believe...

hmm - ok, I'm by no means gloating when i say this (cuz there's no reason to gloat) - but it seems most of the aussies on this site seem to agree with what i said - So umm yeah, nothing else needs to be said by me. A Blotchie is a Blotchie end of story.

Blotch wrote:hmm - ok, I'm by no means gloating when i say this (cuz there's no reason to gloat) - but it seems most of the aussies on this site seem to agree with what i said - So umm yeah, nothing else needs to be said by me. A Blotchie is a Blotchie end of story.

Yup, a blotchie is a blotchie, is a piebald lizard.

I did not mean to start any fights here.

i was just showing that blotchies have been called 'southern bluetongues' at times.

...and yes I agree it is very, very rarely used these days but I have known a few very old keepers who use the term. (a dying breed)

I would not expect the youngsters to use or know the term.

Geoff - by no means did I take your comments as you trying to start a fight. That's why i thanked you for posting the pic.

The hazards of print over voice!

ive used the term southern blotch,not southern alone,there hasnt been a mix up with people calling the lowlands a southern blotch against an alpine,i have always until recently refered to lowlands blotcheds as southerns,as ive seen alpines well away from high areas,eg mountians,in lowland areas as well so find the term lowlands can be misleading,its funny as people assume alpines live at the peak of snow capped mountains,they are common at lower altitudes,also in areas that are alot warmer for alot longer over the active season as the southern or what people class as lowlands blotch,lol

I do a fair bit of driving around North East Victoria I'll take closer note from now on of the dead'ns.

Scott

the one in my avatar is a north east victorian alpine scott,i got her off a frien of my cousin years ago and its origin is myrtleford,i have relos up that way,one spring we saw , must have been like 30 dead on the road in a 20 km stretch just past myrtleford,on our way to mt beauty,ive seen a couple of live ones up there as well and yep,just like mine,really goldy yellow and jet black,different looking to the nsw,s type like colins,but lovely just the same