Frilled Lizard
Chlamydosaurus kingii
Animals on display may vary.
Diet
Frilled Lizards are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a diet consisting mainly of insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles. They may also consume small vertebrates and occasionally vegetation.
Average lifespan
In the wild, Frilled Lizards typically live around 5 to 10 years.
Size
Frilled Lizards are medium-sized lizards, with adults reaching lengths of up to 85 centimeters (33 inches) from snout to tail tip.
Weight
Adult Frilled Lizards typically weigh between 500 grams to 1 kilogram (1.1 to 2.2 pounds).
About
Frilled Lizards are native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea, where they inhabit various habitats including woodlands, savannas, and scrublands. They are named for the frill of skin around their necks, which they use for display purposes when threatened or during courtship rituals.
Size and behavior
Frilled Lizards have a distinctive appearance characterized by their large frill, which they can expand and display when threatened to make themselves appear larger and more intimidating to potential predators. They are primarily arboreal and spend much of their time in trees, using their long tails and strong limbs to climb and maneuver through branches.
Diet and nutrition
Frilled Lizards are insectivorous, primarily feeding on a variety of insects and other invertebrates found in their habitat. They spend most of their time in trees, coming down to the ground to snatch prey, and feed heavily during the wet season when insects are plentiful.
Savanna & Grassland
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Conservation status
The conservation status of Frilled Lizards is currently of least concern. While they may face localized threats from habitat loss, changing fire patterns and predation by introduced species such as feral cats, they are still relatively abundant in their native range.
Fun fact
Frilled Lizards are famous for their unique defensive behavior known as “frilling.” When threatened, they open their mouths wide, unfurl their large frill around their necks, and rear up on their hind legs to appear larger and more intimidating to potential predators. This display, coupled with hissing and lunging movements, is usually sufficient to scare off most predators. Additionally, Frilled Lizards are capable of running bipedally (on two legs) for short distances, using their powerful hind limbs to propel themselves forward in a distinctive gait.
Common Name: Frilled Lizard
Also known as: N/A
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