Australian High Commission

New Zealand

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Australian Reptiles

Frilled Lizard

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Frilled lizards are also called frill-neck lizards or frilled dragons. They live in dry forests and woodland, in the northern parts of Australia. They belong to the family of lizards called 'dragons'.

A frilled lizard can be up to 95 centimetres long. Its colour matches the colour of the land and the trees it lives on. The lizard's colour camouflages it. Male frilled lizards are more brightly coloured than females.

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 red and orange, scaly frill. The frill looks like an open umbrella. The lizard hisses loudly too and may thrash its tail on the ground. Frilled lizards will bite an enemy with its strong teeth.

Frilled lizards are usually active during the day, hunting insects, ants and spiders.

After mating with a male frilled lizard in September, the female lays up to 23 eggs. The young hatch about 5 months later and are left to look after themselves.

Related weblinks -
• See more Frilled Lizards here -
http://www.doaustralia.com/Fauna/FrilledLizard.htm