Frilled Neck Lizard

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

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Frilled Neck Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) belong to the Agamidae family, more commonly known as dragons and dragon lizards. It is a protected species in the Northern Territory (NT) that can grow up to one metre in length, with the males being larger then the females.

One of the well known characteristic of the frilled neck lizard is how it puffs out the skin around its neck and opens its mouth to scare predators away. It will also hiss and jump towards a predator. When frightened they also run away on their two hind legs. The frill also helps the lizard regulate body temperature.

The colour of the frilled neck lizard is grey-brown to orange-brown body (this blends well with the bark of a tree). The frill around the neck is more brightly coloured, and can range from yellow to black, mixed with orange and red. The males have a black belly. The frill is usually folded around its shoulders and neck. As it is connected to its mouth muscles, when its jaw opens wide (such as when it is alarmed), the frill lifts up around its head.

The diet of the frilled neck lizard consists of invertebrates, including insects, spiders and green ants. They will occasionally eat small vertebrates, including mammals and other lizards.