The frill-necked
lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also known as the frilled
lizard or frilled
dragon, is found mainly in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its name comes from the large frill around its neck, which usually stays folded against the
lizard's body. It is largely arboreal, spending the majority of the time in the trees. The
lizard's diet consists mainly of insects and small vertebrates. The frill-necked
lizard is a relatively large
lizard, reaching up to 91.4 cm in length. It may also be kept in captivity.
The frill-necked
lizard is so called because of the large ruff of skin which usually lies folded back against its head and neck. The neck frill is supported by long spines of cartilage which are connected to the jaw bones. When the
lizard is frightened, it gapes its mouth, exposing a bright pink or yellow lining; the frill flares out as well, displaying bright orange and red scales. This reaction is often used to discourage predators or during courtship. The
lizard is a member of the agamid family. It a relatively large
lizard, growing up to 91.4 cm. The
lizard is also capable of bipedal locomotion.
The frill-necked
lizard does not have a standard colour; however, it is characterised by a body that is darker than its frill. There is only one recorded species of the frill-necked
lizard; however, the immense variations of colour among the species has led some scientists to hypothesise more than one species.
The frill-necked
lizard is sexually dimorphic; meaning the male and female frill-neck differ in their physical appearance. This dimorphism is apparent in the length of the lizard; the male is generally larger than the female. There is little to no dimorphism in the color of the
lizard. Frill-necked lizards breed in the early wet season from September to October. Adult males fight for mates, displaying their frills and biting each other. One to two clutches of 8–23 eggs are laid from early to mid-wet season from November to February. The eggs are laid in a nest 5–20 cm below ground, and usually in sunny areas. Incubation takes two to three months. Gender is partly temperature determined, with extreme temperatures producing exclusively females, and intermediate temperatures (29 to 35°C) producing equal numbers of males and females. Their eggs are soft-shelled.