FRILLED LIZARD


Frilled Lizards are also called frill-neck lizards or frilled dragons. Like other reptiles, the Frilled Lizard are usually active during the day, hunting insects, ants, spiders and small mammals and lizards, relying on the sun to warm its body. Frilled Lizards live in dry forests and woodland, in the northern and north-western parts of Australia. They are often found in trees, moving easily between branches. A Frilled Lizard can be up to 95 centimetres long. Its colour matches the colour of the land and the trees it lives on. Male Frilled Lizards are more brightly coloured than females. Frilled Lizards generally live alone, and are territorial. To escape an enemy, a Frilled Lizard can move very fast on its two hind legs. When it is frightened, the Frilled Lizard opens its mouth wide which causes it to ruffle out its magnificent red and orange, scaly frill. The frill like an open umbrella, extends from the lizard's chin and neck and expands to almost half the length of its body. This display allows the lizard to appear larger and less like prey. The lizard hisses frantically and may thrash its tail on the ground. When frightened, this lizard will run away, using its back-legs only, earning it the nickname, the "bicycle lizard." Frilled Lizards will bite an enemy with its strong teeth if it is forced to fight. Frilled Lizards are not poisonous or harmful to people. After mating with a male frilled lizard in September, the female lays up to 23 tiny eggs. The young hatch about 8 to 12 weeks later and are left to look after themselves.

Frilled Lizards may be an endangered species because the land where they live is being cleared. Main predators are birds of prey such as Wedge-tailed eagles and owls, larger lizards, snakes and dingoes.

The 'Australiana Collection' wildlife design portrays the illustrious Frilled Lizard of Australia.

Australiana Collection