ReptilesReptile Index Central Netted Dragon Ctenotus leonhardii Ctenotus saxatilis Crocodile Geckos Gidgee Skink Goanna, Monitor, Perentie Inland Bearded Dragon Lined Firetail Skink Long-nose Dragon Serpentes Thorny Devil Yellow-Bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei)

The Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) is one of the most noticeable lizards in central Australia, this dragon is able to exploit a range of habitats, even extremely degraded areas. It is often found living by highways, where it devours the endless supply of insects hit by passing vehicles, subsidised with the leaves and flowers of small herbaceous plants.

Elevated areas like rocks, fence posts and tree stumps are favoured basking spots for these diurnally active lizards, whist defending their territory, but they retreat to burrows to cool off in times of excessive heat.

A short-lived lizard, the Central Netted Dragon can survive 5 to 6 years in captivity. In the wild some males will only live 12-18 months.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Suborder: Iguania
  • Family: Agamidae
  • Genus: Ctenophorus
  • Species: C. nuchalis
  • Binomial name: Ctenophorus nuchalis
Central netted dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis)
Central netted dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis)

ReptilesReptile Index Central Netted Dragon Ctenotus leonhardii Ctenotus saxatilis Crocodile Geckos Bynoe’s Gecko Eastern Tree Dtella Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko Gidgee Skink Goanna, Monitor, Perentie Black Headed Goanna Perentie Pygmy Mulga Goanna Sand Goanna Inland Bearded Dragon Lined Firetail Skink Long-nose Dragon Serpentes Blind Snake Central Carpet Python Children’s Python Stimson’s Python Thorny Devil Yellow-Bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei)