Frill-necked Lizard

The Frill-necked Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) is native to Australia and New Guinea. These lizards are also known as Frilled Lizards and Frilled Dragons. They get their name from the skin frill around their necks. This is normally folded down on their necks, but is flared out when frightened or agitated.

When the Frill-necked Lizard is fully grown, they can reach lengths up to 1 metre including the tail. The male Frill-necked Lizards are generally larger than their female companions. Both males and females use the neck frill when frightened, and as a defensive measure. If the frill does not frighten their predator, they begin to run away on all four limbs, and then accelerate and begin to run on their hind legs. Australians have given the Frill-necked Lizard the nickname of 'bicycle lizard' due to this behaviour. They will run to a tree, climb, and use camouflage to hide.

The Frill-necked Lizard generally sticks to savanna woodland areas, but has also been spotted in tropical and temperate forests. They are a semi-arboreal lizard species, hunting for arthropods in the trees, while coming down to the ground for ants, termites and small vertebrates.

Also see our Frill-necked Lizard Care Sheet for captive care information.

Take a look at these Frilled Dragon Pictures over in the Gallery.

Watch this Frilled Dragon Video showcasing the defensive and evasive maneuvers it uses.

Frill-necked Lizard Classification