As its name suggests, it has a blue tongue, which contrasts with the pink interior of its mouth.

If the initial display is unsuccessful, and the predator or threat does not retreat, it may hiss and flatten out its body in an attempt to make itself look bigger.

It is diurnal, hunting for insects, spiders, and snails, and foraging for plants (particularly berries) and carrion.

It rests under leaf litter or rocks at night, and sometimes uses abandoned rabbit burrows for shelter.

The young consume the placental membrane immediately after birth, and are precocious and disperse after a few days.