Blue-tongued skinks are the genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards in Australia. As suggested by these common names, a prominent characteristic of the genus is a blue tongue.

Like their close relatives of the genus Cyclodomorphus. A distinct species, Tiliqua gigas, occurs in the island of New Guinea and various islands of Indonesia. One of the 3 subspecies of Tiliqua scincoides is found on several small Indonesian islands between Australia and New Guinea. Most species, with the exception of the pygmy blue-tongue, are relatively large (up to 371 mm total length), light-bodied, short-limbed, broad with a distinct head, and dull teeth. The eastern blue tongue can have up to 12 babies and grows up to 2ft (60cm).