Things that slither

Perth is home to at least 71 reptile species and is believed to house more reptiles than any other urban area in the world (WWF 2013).

One of the slithery creatures you might spot in the warmer months is the bobtail or shingleback skink, Tiliqua rugosa (Yoorn in Noongar language). Between December and April the females give birth to 2-3 live young, which can be up to 40% of the mother's body weight!

Aside from basking on our roads on warmer days, bobtails love to hide in grasses, leaf litter, paddocks and some gardens. If you want to create a more bobtail-friendly backyard, consider:

• Having a native garden with lots of vegetation, encouraging insects (their food!)
• Creating safe places for them to hide
• Having wet areas for them to drink from
• Using environmentally friendly pest-control and staying away from chemicals