The Frilled lizard

The frilled lizard

The frilled lizard is a very unique animal. Read about this interesting animal to learn more!

Habitat

Frilled Lizards live in dry forests and woodland, in the northern and north-western parts of Australia. They are often found in trees, moving easily between branches. Frilled lizards inhabit dry woodland, usually with an open shrubby or grass under story. Most of the time is spent off the ground in trees, often at a substantial height. They are well adapted to life in the hot tropics of northwestern and northern Australia and the species also occurs in Papua, New Guinea. The term 'frilly lizard' is often mistakenly applied to the common bearded dragon in the southern states of Australia. The frilled lizard is found across northern Australia and southern New Guinea. the type of tree you'll find them in varies with the season They tend to choose significantly, larger trees in the Dry season, where they're more hidden and further away from danger while in a semi-dormant state. But when the build-up to the Wet season starts the lizards choose much smaller trees.

Physical appearance

The frilled lizard grows to about one yard long. Its color matches the color of the land and the trees it lives on. This is called camouflage. Male frilled lizards are more brightly colored than females. Pattern of skin depend on where its located. Lizards in Queensland has yellow with black and white markings. Lizards in Northern Territory has orange with red, black, and white speckles. There are two long, pointed canine-like teeth present in the lower jaw, which can inflict a painful bite. Since it has excellent camouflage, it is usually observed only when it descends to the ground after a rainfall or to search for food.

Diet

the frilled lizard is an omnivorous animal and the frilled lizard will therefore eat almost anything it can find. Despite this though, the frilled lizard will eat meat whenever possible as it hunts a variety of insects, spiders, rodents and small reptiles. In the trees they find spiders, cicadas, beetles etc., and on the ground more of the same plus ants and even other small lizards. Their eye sight is excellent and they are very fast. Frilled-neck lizards are sit-and-wait predators, which is an approach that helps them conserve energy. They chose trees where they can survey the area for food, before racing down to nab it. If they spot something from a tree they drop to the ground, grab it and are back up on the tree within seconds.

Young

Females can lay up to 3 clutches of 8-20 eggs, each weighing 3-5 grams, in a season. Like Goldilocks tasting porridge, female frilled-neck lizards test dozens of nesting sites, digging holes and probing with their snouts for temperature conditions that are just right. The temperature at which the eggs are incubated determines the sex of the baby frilled lizard, but it does much more than that. Temperature affects things like the size of the hatching, shape, behavior, their running speed, a whole range of things. Once the eggs are buried, maternal instincts run out and the shallow nest is abandoned to incubate for 8-12 weeks. When they hatch, the youngsters are Territory-tough and fend for themselves from birth. Young Frilled Lizards are fully independent as soon as they hatch. Young lizards dig their way out of the soil and at once begin searching for insects to eat. This is a dangerous time for the young, many are eaten by birds, snakes, and other lizards.

Enemies

Some Enemies of the frilled lizard is birds of prey such as larger lizards, snakes and dingoes, birds of prey- hawks, eagles and owls; pythons, large snakes and goannas; dingoes and quolls; humans. If danger threatens this lizard, it will run away on its hind legs, its fore legs held close against its body. However, if this creature is cornered, it will spread its frill, opening its mouth wide, hissing and stepping toward its enemy, giving the impression of a fierce adversary several times larger than its original size. Even ferocious hunting dogs, used to attack large lizards are frightened by this display.

 

Fun facts

1.Frilled lizards are not poisonous or harmful to people.

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

3.Frilled lizards have a cunning habit of moving to the opposite side of the tree trunk they are perched on when approached. If you try to walk around the side they will keep moving around the trunk trying to keep the tree between themselves and the approaching danger.

4.Newly hatched lizards weigh anywhere between three to five grams.

5.The frill contains many blood vessels and its opening helps regulate heat in the body.

6.The frill measures about 30 centimeters in diameter!

7.Frilled Neck Lizards are tree dwellers and excellent climbers. In fact, they spend over 90% of their time in trees!