Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)

ReptileLizardAustralasia

Overview

The frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also called the frill-necked lizard, is one of the most theatrical reptiles in the world. A fairly large, slender tree-dwelling lizard of northern Australia and southern New Guinea, it is named for the spectacular ruff of skin folded around its neck. Most of the time the frill lies flat against the body, but when the lizard is alarmed it snaps the frill open into a wide, startling “umbrella” around its head.

The display is pure bluff: combined with gaping its bright mouth, hissing, and sometimes rearing up and dashing away on its hind legs, the frill makes the lizard look bigger and more dangerous than it really is.

Note: details here cover the frilled lizard as a species; treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Frilled lizards live in tropical and warm-temperate savanna woodland and dry forest across northern Australia and parts of southern New Guinea. They are strongly arboreal, spending much of their time clinging to tree trunks, where their grey-brown colour blends with the bark, and they are most active during the warmer, wetter months.

Diet

Frilled lizards are carnivores, feeding mainly on insects and other invertebrates — such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and cicadas — along with the occasional small vertebrate. They hunt both up in trees and on the ground, watching for prey and dashing to seize it.

Behavior

The frill is supported by rods of cartilage connected to the jaw, so opening the mouth wide also spreads the frill. A threatened frilled lizard erects this collar, gapes to show the pink-to-yellow lining of its mouth, hisses, and may lash its tail — and if the bluff fails, it can rear up and sprint away on its hind legs to the nearest tree, a striking bipedal run. The frill may also help with temperature regulation and in social and courtship displays. Despite the drama, frilled lizards are not dangerous to people.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The frilled lizard is an icon of northern Australia — it has appeared on currency and in popular culture — and is a favourite for its dramatic display. It is generally harmless to humans and remains reasonably widespread, though it depends on healthy woodland and can be affected by habitat change, fire regimes, and introduced predators. Consult authoritative sources for current status.

More photos of the frilled lizard