Frilled Dragon Care Sheet

The Frilled Dragon has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. This dragon is beloved for its large colorful membrane of skin which is pushed out when the dragon feels intimidated.

This is how this dragon gets its name, and it can be seen in various colors. 

Frilled Dragon Care Sheet

For a lot of people, they are tempted to get a frilled dragon as a pet, since they are very low maintenance. However, they do require a couple of particular habitat conditions to ensure that they live comfortably and happily. 

We have created this care sheet (see also “Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet”), so you know everything you need to know about frilled dragons and how to care for one yourself. 

Frilled Dragon Origins

The frilled dragon is a lizard that is native to southern New Guinea and northern Australia. 

This gray/brown lizard has enormous frills that extend from its head to its shoulders and is typically fairly thin with a long tail.

While relaxed, this frill provides extra cover, but they can be spread out to create a menacing threat display. The dragon may stand up on its hind legs and move really swiftly when threatened or startled.

These lizards can be seen most frequently in humid environments like tropical savanna woodlands (see also “Yellow Spotted Tropical Night Lizard“).

They prefer an area with lots of tall trees with interlocking branches for convenience of mobility because they are forest—dwelling lizards. The frilled dragon usually only descends from the trees to search for prey.

Frilled Dragon Appearance

The length of an adult frilled dragon ranges from 26 to 36 inches. In general, Australian frilled dragon lizards are bigger compared to frilled dragons from New Guinea.

Additionally, the size of female frilled dragons is about one-third of males.

The “frill” is the frilled dragon’s most distinctive feature. They’ll lift the frill as soon as the lizard senses danger. This distinctive defense technique makes the frilled dragon appear much larger than it actually is!

The frill is known to have a more vivid coloring. While, gray or brown shades dominate the remainder of the body.

The frilled dragon has a very long tail, by being around two thirds of the lizard’s overall length. This tail is ideal for climbing trees in the wild. 

Frilled Dragon Enclosure Size

These lizards need a lot of space to roam around. Also, you need an enclosure big enough to control the humidity and temperature.

The minimum dimensions that are required for the enclosure for a single adult are 24 inches wide, 36 inches long, and 48 inches high.

However, if you have the option, we always advise going a little bigger. They should have an enclosure that is about 30 inches wide, 48 inches long, and 60 inches tall.

These dimensions are ideal for a mated pair or a lone lizard.

Frilled Dragon Enclosure Decor

Due to the fact that frilled dragons are tree climbing animals, climbable objects are crucial. Use vines and branches inside the enclosure for climbing.

Also place a few inches of substrate on the enclosure’s bottom. You should select a substrate substance which can release moisture during the day.

Give your frilled dragon some refuge from the heat and light by creating caves out of artificial materials, or large chunks of cork wood. Plants, real or fake, can also be placed inside as well.

Frilled Dragon Lighting And Temperature

These lizards require hot temperatures, thus you should provide a basking area with a temperature of up to 115 °F at one end of the enclosure.

On the other end, the temperature should range between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures at night can fall as low as 75 degrees. 

Frilled dragons will wander around the enclosure during the day to control their body temperature.  UVB lights are crucial because they facilitate calcium metabolism in your lizard’s body.

For roughly 14 hours each day, have a UVB lamp shining into the enclosure.

To stay hydrated, frilled dragons utilize the air’s humidity. The ideal humidity range for the lizard enclosure is between 50 and 70%. In order to keep inside this range, use a hygrometer.

Frilled Dragon Care Sheet (1)

Frilled Dragon Diet And Water

These reptiles mostly utilize water for temperature control and soaking. It’s essential that you keep the water clean at all times. Thus, you ought to provide a water dish big enough for your lizard to fit into.

These lizards are omnivores which primarily consume live insects. Such as superworms, soldier fly larvae, horn-worms, silkworms, crickets, roaches, and canned grasshoppers.

These insects should be dusted with vitamin D supplement and calcium powders on every other feeding. 

Young frilled dragons must eat daily to satisfy their appetites. While adults can eat roughly five times per week.

Frilled Dragon Handling And Temperament 

Frilled dragons can be fairly shy to begin with.  They will gradually grow accustomed to their surroundings.

Frilled dragons are typically kept apart. Although, these lizards can be kept together in pairs. The pair must, however, be raised in captivity and have spent most of their lives together from a young age.

It’s important to gain your new pet lizard’s trust and demonstrate your good intentions.  Avoid making quick movements while cleaning the habitat or feeding the lizard. 

They’ll eventually start looking at your hand and jumping to greet you. Be careful when handling them and support their body.

Conclusion 

Frilled dragons are a great pet to have as they are quite straightforward to look after. You must ensure that you set up their enclosure properly and that you provide them with enough calcium and vitamin D to stay healthy.

Other than that, there isn’t much else you need to do to look after these lizards. Once you have built up their trust, these lizards can become quite loyal pets. 

We hope you have found this article useful. Now you have all the information required to care for a frilled dragon (see also “Chinese Water Dragon Care Sheet“).

Levi Johnson
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