Blue-tongued lizards are one of Australia’s most common backyard reptiles. However, it’s highly unusual to spot one swimming in the middle of the ocean.
But that’s exactly what was witnessed last week, as a boat full of international tourists ventured out into Victoria’s famous Gippsland Lakes in search of wildlife.
Out at sea, Lonsdale Eco Cruises’ Mel Fredericks frequently sees wild animal behaviour that most of us have only seen in nature documentaries, like seals attacking octopuses, dolphins hunting fish, or pelicans at play.
But this is the first time she’s ever seen a blue tongue lizard in the water, and how it got there remains a mystery.
“It was right out in the middle of the lakes, probably 1,000 metres from the shoreline,” she told Yahoo News.
Incredibly, the struggling animal appeared to know it needed help.
“When we saw it, it was swimming away. But then we got really close, and it started swimming towards us,” Mel said.
“It was unreal, I got my net out, and it swam quite into it.”
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The lizard changed direction and swam towards the tourist boat. Source: Lonsdale Eco Tours
What happened to the lizard?
Although blue-tongues are sometimes found swimming in backyard pools, they generally struggle to traverse long distances.
They are sometimes preyed upon by predatory birds, but the lizard Mel found didn’t have any marks on its body and seemed in good condition.
The lizard was plucked from the water and taken on a 20-minute ride back to shore. Source: Lonsdale Eco Tours
The closest land was Rigby Island, a popular birdwatching and fishing spot.
But determining where exactly the lizard came from was impossible, so Mel and her husband searched out habitat that would suit his needs.
“We took it home and released it near our house, where there’s a wonderful little creek with bugs and things.
I’ve seen blue-tongues there before, so he’s in a very happy home now.
“But I hope he didn’t have a wife and kids somewhere else.”
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