FRILLED
LIZARD
(Frilled Neck
Lizard - Frilled Dragon)
General
This sun-loving lizard (Frilled Lizard) is the reptile
emblem of Australia, depicted on our now defunct two-cent
coin This reptile is part of the Dragon family a
sub-species of Lizards They are usually active during the
day and move very fast on their two hind legs
Description
Head and Body Length: to 28cm Total Overall Length:
usually 70 cm but up to 95cm
The colour of the lizard matches the land on which it
lives, so a frilled lizard from one region may be
brighter than another. The male is more colourful than
the female They are not poisonous or harmful to man
The
"Frill"
The frill normally lies in folds around the shoulders and
neck and is "activated" by the lizard when
frightened by opening its mouth wide It is supported by a
set of cartilaginous rods connected to the muscles of the
tongue and jaws in such a manner that, when the mouth
gapes widely, the frill is extended, ruff-like around the
head (like an umbrella), displaying a broad, rounded
expanse of bright orange and red scales. The frill is
also believed to aid in the regulation of body
temperature.
Habitat
Tropical to warm temperate dry forests, woodland and
savanna woodland, usually with an open shrubby or tussock
grass understorey, this being found in Australia northern
Queensland and the Northern Territory
Land clearing is reducing the area where this reptile is
found
Defence &
Camouflage
With its frill completely folded back
and the head, body and tail touching the bark the frilled
lizard perches on tree trunks, fallen or standing and
with its pattern matching the bark so well, it is a very
difficult animal to see. When approached, it circles
around the trunk to the "shadow" side and
"sneaks a peek" at you.
5 step defence plan
1) If it sees danger it slowly cringes down
onto the ground looking like a stout stick, relying on
its natural body colours to act as camouflage
2) If the lizard feels threatened it will
extend its legs and open its mouth widely thus erecting
the frill in a blaze of startling colour.
3) To add to the bluff, it may hiss and
jump towards the threat
4) If the frill and hissing is not
effective the frilled lizard menaces "the
threat" by repeatedly lashing its tail on the ground
5a) The frilled lizard as a last resort
prefers to run rather than fight by making a sudden turn
and running off, on its hind legs, to the nearest tree,
which it climbs until out of reach.
5b) But if forced to fight this lizard can
inflict painful bites with its large canine teeth
Its fearsome bluff though is no match for feral cats its
biggest enemy, brought to Australia by
"European" settlement.
Eating
It eats with its frill back and hunts mostly in the trees
for insects (eg.cicadas) but it also descends to the
ground to catch other insects (including ants, which it
eats in great numbers from trails and near the edges of
nests), spiders and even small lizards that venture too
close.
Breeding
Matting occurs around September, with the female laying
from eight to 23 eggs per clutch in November. Some
females can produce two clutches of eggs in the one
season. The hatchlings start appearing usally in early
February weighing around 3 to 5 grams.
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