Frill-neck Lizard , Frilly 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 .
49