Nobody does relaxation quite like Sleepy and Stumpy, resident Shingleback Lizards at Adelaide Zoo!
Most days, Sleepy and Stumpy can be found lounging underneath their heat lamps, snacking on tasty bugs or exploring their surroundings. With their distinctive stocky build and infectious personalities, these iconic Reptile House residents are an integral part of the Adelaide Zoo community.
“Shingleback lizards are a pretty amazing Australian species that are very common in South Australia,” says Jordan, Acting Team Supervisor – Herpetofauna.“They have many unique features including a blue tongue, blunt tail and thick scales that make them look a bit like a pinecone!”
Widespread across Australia’s temperate regions, Shingleback Lizards are naturally found nowhere else in the world. When they are not basking in the sun, these reptiles are busy foraging for plants, snails or beetles before taking shelter under rocks and leaf litter at night.
Acting Team Supervisor Jordan says Sleepy and Stumpy have “great temperaments” and are always willing to explore and investigate new things.
“They are amazing fun to work with and watch,” says Acting Team Supervisor Jordan. “They can be sociable with keepers as well. As soon as you open the door, they’ll often come walking over to investigate.”
Spotting a Shingleback Lizard in the wild is a common occurrence for many South Australians. However, these reptiles are also a prime target for animal trafficking.
Shingleback lizards make up over half of all reptile seizures at the Australian border and are prized by traffickers for their unique features and slow-moving nature.
“Shingleback Lizards are an iconic animal in Australia. Depending on where you are, some people can see them quite often in the wild,” explains Active Team Supervisor Jordan. “I think some people don’t realise their vulnerability to wildlife trafficking because they seem so common.”
To support Sleepy and Stumpy and Shingleback Lizards in Australia, Adelaide Zoo partnered with the University of Adelaide’s Wildlife Crime Research Hub to host the inaugural Wildlife Crime in Our Backyard Showcase in November.
