Frilled Neck Lizard Fact File

Chlamydosaurus kingii

Weight

500-800g

(17.5-28oz)

Length

70-90cm

(27.5-35.5in)

LIFESPAN

Wild - 20 years

Captive - 20 years

DIET

Carnivore

Insects

conservation status

IUCN

Lest Concern

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The frilled neck lizard has one of the most impressive adaptations in the animal kingdom. Around the neck is a fold of skin known as the frill which can be extended both to frighten away predators by making them appear larger and to communicate with other lizards.

This species occurs in Northern Australia and New Guinea where they are often seen clinging to tree trunks. In a unique behaviour they will circle around the tree while clinging on to ensure they are hidden from predators no matter what direction they look from.

Appearance

What does a Frilled-Neck Lizard look like?

The frilled-neck lizard is instantly recognizable due to the large fold of paper thin skin which they expand around the head when threatened. At all other times the frill is held flat against the neck. This frill is colored black or yellow with an orange patch present below the chin in most individuals.

Their head is large and angular coming to a point at the nose. The body ends with a long, tapered tail which can be as much as twice the length of their body.

Their colour is variable being grey, black and yellowish or reddish brown. This has darker mottling which form large blotches. The underside is white or yellow. In mature males it is often black. Their pattern is a useful adaptation allowing them to camouflage on tree branches.

They measure 70-90cm (27.5-35.5in) long and weigh 500-800g (17.5-28oz). Males are typically larger than females.

Adaptations

How does the Frilled-Neck Lizard survive in its habitat?


The most notable adaptation of the frilled-neck lizard is their namesake frill. This is used both to scare away potential threats and during social encounters to communicate with other lizards. A key use in social encounters is for males to display against other males during the breeding season.

It is thought that the frill also provides a small benefit for camouflage but this is thought to be an unintended benefit of its other purpose and is not an adaptation which has specifically developed to provide a benefit.

Diet

What does a Frilled-Neck Lizard eat?

The frilled-neck lizard is a carnivore. They feed on a range of invertebrates such as insects and spiders, small reptiles and mammals.

To hunt they will sit on a tree branch and then once they spot prey in the distance they will run down the tree to catch the prey item.

Range

Where do you the find the Frilled-Neck Lizard?

Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are the native homes of the frilled-neck lizard. In Australia they can be found in the north of the country throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory. In Papua New Guinea and Indonesia they live in the south of the island of New Guinea.

Habitat

Where can a Frilled-Neck Lizard survive?

They make their home in forests and woodlands. Most of their time is spent in the trees.

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Reproduction

How does a Frilled-Neck Lizard produce its young?

Mating takes place at the beginning of the wet season around September to October with the eggs being laid from November to February.

During the breeding season the male frilled-neck lizard will maintain a territory and they become incredible aggressive to other males.

Males will perform a courtship display for the female and if she is interested in mating she will bob her head in response.

Following a successful mating the female will dig a nest in sandy soil. This is typically 10-20cm (4-7.9in) deep. In to this nest the female will deposit a clutch of eggs with the average amount being 8-14. Some clutches have numbered up to 23 eggs though. In seasons where resources are abundant then they can produce 2 clutches of eggs. The eggs have a soft shell.

The eggs incubate in the nest for 70 days. Once they hatch they will emerge from the nest and are independent from birth.

Hatchlings have more pronounced patterning at birth. This is their sole defence as the frill is poorly developed at birth.

Their gender is determined by the temperature at which they incubate. When incubating between 29 and 35oC (84-95oF) both sexes will hatch. At temperatures on either side of this range then all females are produced.

Sexual maturity is reached at 1 ½ years old.

Behaviour

What does the Frilled-Neck Lizard during its day?

The frilled-neck lizard spends most of their time in the trees. Once they complete their threat display they will often climb a tree to escape the predator. Often they move around the tree trunk as a predator circles it allowing them to remain hidden.

When they run the frilled-neck lizard may stand solely on its two back legs.

This species will enter a period of reduced activity during the dry season. During this they spend much of their time in the tree canopy resting and they do not eat.

During the day they will bask in the sun to regulate their temperature. Their frill may also be expanded to provide additional surface area where they can absorb heat from the sun.

Predators and Threats

What stops the Frilled-Neck Lizard from surviving and thriving?

Natural predators of the frilled-neck lizard include raptors, quolls, dingoes, large pythons and monitor lizards. They are also threatened by invasive species such as feral cats which prey on them and cane toads which may poison them if they attempt to eat it.

When threatened their primary defence is to raise the frill and stand on their back legs. They will open the mouth and then begin to hiss. Typically this display is enough to make predators leave them alone.

Climate change may pose a threat to the future populations of the frill necked lizard due to their breeding behaviour. At higher temperatures only females will hatch and this could disrupt the population’s gender balance.

Humans further affect their population through hunting for the pet trade and habitat destruction. They have come under threat from the increase in fire activity in the areas where they live.

Quick facts

They are the largest member of the agamid (dragon) lizard family within Australia.

Another name for this lizard is the frilled dragon or frilled necked lizard.


References

Burnie, D., 2011. Animal. 3rd ed. London: DK

Swanson, S. and Parish, S., 2011. Field Guide To Australian Reptiles. 2st ed. New South Wales: Pascal Press.

Ambrose, J., 2015. Wildlife Of The World. 1st ed. London: Dorling Kindersley,

Shine, Richard. (2008). Function and evolution of the frill of the frillneck lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii (Sauria: Agamidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 40. 11 - 20. 10.1111/j.1095-8312.1990.tb00531.x.

McAdam, D. (no date) “Nature Notes - Fab Frillies.” Darwin: Northern Territory Government.

Perthzoo.wa.gov.au. 2020. Frilled Dragon. [online] Available at: <https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/Animals/Fact%20Sheets/Frilled-Dragon-Fact-Sheet.pdf?ext=.pdf> [Accessed 21 June 2020].

Nt.gov.au. 2020. Frilled Neck Lizard. [online] Available at: <https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/wildlife-in-nt/frilled-neck-lizard>[Accessed 21 June 2020].

O'Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red

List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Downloaded on 21 June 2020.

Group, T., 2020. Frill-Necked Lizard | Climatewatch. [online] Climatewatch.org.au. Available at:

<https://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/reptiles/frill-necked-lizard> [Accessed 21 June 2020].

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