The Skink

This fella is a blue-tongued skink.  I guess this species is fairly common in Brisbane but they are typically quite shy.  This one had been keeping a temporary residence on our patio late last month.  He stayed for a few days, following the sunshine as it moved around our patio, then headed under our gate towards the pool.  He's a little over a foot long and his legs look like they will be phased out by his descendants in a few thousand years.