Australia's pygmy blue-tongue lizards are so rare they were once believed to be extinct, but 14 of the little creatures have been born in South Australia.

Fun facts: Found only in South Australia's mid-north region between Kapunda and Peterborough

Found only in South Australia's mid-north region between Kapunda and Peterborough The smallest reptile of the blue-tongue family, although they have distinct pink tongues

The smallest reptile of the blue-tongue family, although they have distinct pink tongues Adult lizard less than 18 centimetres in length

Adult lizard less than 18 centimetres in length Spend most of their time in disused spider burrows

Monarto Zoo successfully bred the lizards in captivity in what they have hailed a conservation world first.

The babies — about 10 centimetres in length and, contrary to the name, bearing distinctive pink tongues — were born to five different females at the zoo last month.

The lizards have started exploring the burrows in their enclosure, emerging only to feed and bask in the sun.

Zoos SA conservation programs manager Phil Ainsley said the birth of 14 pygmy blue-tongue lizards would help protect the species from extinction.

"Over the last few weeks, the little lizards have become more active, venturing out of their burrows where they have been seen eating crickets," he said.

"The pygmy blue-tongue is one of the rarest reptiles in the country and we need to do everything we can to ensure the survival of this species.

"Zoos SA has been involved in the conservation of this species since its rediscovery back in 1992, so this is an amazing success story and a resounding endorsement for our purpose-built breeding facility that has only been in use for just over 18 months."

The pygmy blue-tongue had not been seen in its natural habitat for more than 30 years, but in 1992 a herpetologist found the body inside the stomach contents of a roadkill snake he was examining.

Nowadays, the little reptile is only found in South Australia's mid-north region between Kapunda and Peterborough.