Land Mullet
Scientific Name: Bellatorias major
Size: Snout Vent Length 300 mm
What does it look like?
The Land Mullet is Australia’s largest skink. Robust, glossy body with ‘fish-like’ head, medium-length tail and low-keeled scales. Blackish-brown to black above, and whitish to yellowish-orange underneath. Juveniles more bluish than adults, with scattered small white spots on sides.
Where is it found?
It is distributed within coastal and near coastal south-eastern Qld and north-eastern NSW.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Land Mullet occurs in coastal rainforest margins and wet forests with associated open areas, where it can be seen basking in patches of sunlight, retreating loudly to a burrow under a nearby tree if disturbed. Often inhabits disturbed areas with introduced weeds, including blackberry Rubus spp. and lantana Lantana camera, and found in well-vegetated suburban gardens. Feeds on invertebrates, forest fruits and cultivated vegetable scraps in compost heaps. Females are viviparous, giving birth to up to 9 live young.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of Australia
