Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Frilled Lizard

Chlamydosaurus kingii

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The frilled lizard is a tree-dwelling reptile of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its large neck frill becomes conspicuous when spread during a defensive display.

Chlamydosaurus kingii (frilled lizard)

Matt from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY

At a glance

Habitat
Savanna
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Mostly insects and other small invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Frilled Lizard
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Chlamydosaurus kingii
Taxon rank
species
Family
Agamidae
Genus
Chlamydosaurus
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its frill normally lies folded around the neck.
  • It spends much of its time in trees.
  • Activity changes with the seasons.

Habitat and range

Frilled lizards use grassy woodland and seasonally dry forest. They spend much of their time on trunks and branches, descending to feed or move between trees.

Appearance and adaptations

Grey-brown colouring helps a resting animal blend with bark. Long limbs and a lengthy tail contrast with the broad folded skin frill surrounding the neck.

Diet and behaviour

Insects and other small invertebrates provide most food, though occasional small vertebrates are eaten. Daytime activity increases with wetter conditions. When disturbed, the lizard can open its mouth and spread the frill to appear larger.

Sources

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