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Region: Australasia Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Agamidae Genus: Chlamydosaurus Scientific Name: Chlamydosaurus kingii
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Description:
One of Australia’s most distinctive and familiar dragon lizards. It averages 85 cm (33 inches) in length with a long neck and long limbs, a relatively short body and a moderately long tail. The general colouring is gray-brown or orange-brown with dark sides. The tail is faintly striped with a dark gray tip. The tongue and mouth lining are pink or yellow and the upper and lower jaws have small sharp teeth. Its most prominent feature is the ruff or frill around the neck which lies over the shoulders until erected. The neck frill is a thin, extensive fold of skin surrounding the throat which, when extended, may measure 30 cm across. The frill is supported by a set of cartilaginous rods connected to the muscles of the tongue and jaws. When alarmed, the mouth gapes widely and the frill is extended around the head showing a variety of colours including yellow, black, orange, and red. The skin of the body is rough and the dorsal and ventral scales are keeled including the scales on the frill.
They are sexually dimorphic with adult males much larger than and twice as heavy as females (870 g. versus 400 g.). They frequently use bipedal locomotion (walk on two feet) and can hiss when alarmed. In early mornings they may bask in the sun before seeking shade in trees. They forage in the morning and late afternoon (diurnal) by dropping from trees onto their prey. The males are territorial and move around more than the females.
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Distribution:
Found across northern Australia and southern New Guinea.
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Habitat:
Sub-humid to semi-arid grassy woodlands and dry forests. The frilled neck lizard is arboreal and lives in the forest canopy, descending from tree cover to search for food.
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Food:
Mainly feeds on invertebrates but also on small mammals.
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Reproduction and Development:
Breeding is activated by the onset of the wet season (November to February) and can include frill displays to attract a mate. Males actively defend their home range using displays and combat – swaying from side to side and hissing. Females lay eggs during the wet season and the eggs incubate for about 70 days. Clutch sizes average about 8 (range 4-13). The preferred nest location is on flat, coarse-grained sandy soil surrounded by grass and leaf litter and is situated to receive sunlight for most of the day. If ample food is available they may lay two clutches during one wet season. The hatchlings remain together for about 10 days, and there is no parental care.
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Adaptations:
This species is able to reduce its body temperature, metabolic rate, and water turnover during the dry season. It moves from tree to tree less frequently than in the wet season. The increase in ambient temperature and relative humidity, the onset of the rainfall, an increase in food availability, and the onset of its reproductive period all trigger changes in activity.
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Threats to Survival:
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Status:
IUCN: not evaluated; CITES: no special status
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Zoo Diet:
Crickets, mealworms, mice, and mixed vegetables
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Animal Fact Sheet
The New Tundra Trek