Home › Reptilia › Agamidae › Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
Chlamydosaurus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Reptilia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Northern Australia (Queensland, NT) and New Guinea
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Dry woodlands, savannas, and monsoon forests
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Squamata
FAMILY
Agamidae
GENUS
Chlamydosaurus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 85 cm long, including tail; males larger, 0.5 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown with mottled pattern; large neck frill with red, orange, yellow markings
ADAPTATIONS
Frill expands as defensive display, bipedal running capability
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Dry woodlands, savannas, and monsoon forests
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Northern Australia (Queensland, NT) and New Guinea
REPRODUCTION
Lays 8-23 eggs, buried in soil, hatch in 2-3 months
DIET DETAILS
Feeds on insects, small lizards, occasionally small mammals
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat destruction, predation by feral cats
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Frill Displays: Frilled lizards expand 30 cm neck frills, hissing to deter dingoes in Kakadu’s woodlands, their 85 cm bodies running bipedally at 15 km/h. Their millions-strong population consumes 50 insects daily, though feral cats kill 10% yearly.
2
Dinosaur Mimics: In Cape York’s savannas, their frilled dashes resemble small dinosaurs, with Litchfield’s lizards laying 100 eggs over a lifetime. Their mottled camouflage blends into dry woodlands, ensuring survival despite habitat loss from grazing.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory has Nourlangie Rock and Yellow Water woodlands for lizard sightings
Cape York Peninsula in Queensland near Laura and Jardine River offers dry season lizard sightings
Litchfield National Park in Northern Territory near Wangi Falls has trails for lizard sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March. Wet season increases lizard activity in savannas for frill displays.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Search woodlands at midday to see lizards displaying frills.
