Outback Info (Private Seiten) © seit 1999
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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