Frill-neck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)

What do they look like? Unmistakeable large dragon with a prominent, thin frill around the neck which is used in defence and display with other Frill-neck Lizards. They run high on their back legs when pursued or travelling any distance on the ground.

Where do they live? Frill-neck Lizards are wide-ranging across northern Australia, inhabiting woodlands and forests. They are absent from southern and western Queensland and have disappeared or declined in most of the southern part of their range.

What do they need to live, eat and breed? Frill-neck Lizards are mostly arboreal (tree living). Habitats with dense, small to medium sized trees seem to harbour the greatest numbers of them. They feed mostly on invertebrates.

When might I see (or hear) them? Most often noticed when they cross roads, especially after warm spring/summer rains. May be seen basking on exposed tree branches during cooler months.

What management actions affect this species? Maintaining areas with dense tree cover, a mixed ground layer of vegetation and leaf litter benefits “frillies”. Tree clearing, inappropriate fire regimes and wildfires that remove fallen timber and hollow trees where they lay their eggs are probably the most significant threats to Frill-neck Lizards. There is some evidence that they may eat Cane Toads and consequently are killed by the toxins in the toad.

How do they benefit the land I manage? Frill-necks, along with a vast suite of other insectivores help maintain balance in insect and other invertebrate numbers. Most people simply enjoy seeing them on their property because of their strange and iconic appearance.