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Definition of shingleback skink
shingleback skink
Plural:shingleback skinks
• noun
1
A large, heavily armored lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) native to the arid and semiarid regions of Australia, characterized by thick, overlapping scales resembling a pinecone and a short, stumpy tail that mimics its head to confuse predators.
Example
"While exploring the Australian outback, the researchers observed a shingleback skink slowly crossing the red dirt and displaying its bright blue tongue defensively."
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shingleback skink. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shingleback-skink