Driving along a quiet stretch of rural road in New South Wales, Australia, wildlife specialist Mick Fullerton suddenly hit the brakes. Standing in the middle of the asphalt was a small, dark creature — motionless and in danger of being run over.
Without hesitation, Fullerton pulled over to help.
As he approached, he realized the little figure wasn’t a snake, as he first feared, but an eastern shingleback skink — a stocky, slow-moving lizard native to Australia, easily recognized by her wide head and armored scales.
Fullerton meant only to help the stranded reptile get to safety, but the skink wasn’t convinced.
When he got close, she turned toward him and opened her mouth, hissing and flashing her bright blue tongue — a classic defense move meant to scare off predators.
“You can’t stay here,” Fullerton gently told her. “There’s cars on this road.”
Here's footage of what happened next:
Carefully, he guided her to the side of the road, out of danger. Once she realized he wasn’t a threat, the fierce little lizard’s attitude began to change.
“Aw, what a little legend,” Fullerton said, as the skink relaxed and allowed him to give her a few light head scratches.
Moments earlier, she’d been hissing at him in fear. Now, she seemed to understand he was a friend.
The brief encounter ended with both rescuer and rescued safe and content — one with a good deed done, the other spared from harm.
What started as a tense standoff between man and lizard turned into a quiet reminder that even the “angriest” animals often just need a little understanding.
To see more of Mick Fullerton’s wildlife rescues, you can follow him on TikTok.
