Size: Length; 85cm. Weight; females 400g, males 870g.

Habitat and Distribution: Grassy woodlands and dry sclerophyll (containing eucalyptus and other Australian hard leaved plants) forests in Northern Australia and southern New Guinea.

Age: 7-10 years

Groups and Breeding: These are solitary animals spending much of their time on tree trunks and low branches. The males can be quite territorial and will defend their area by hissing and raising their frill. However, there is no real evidence to suggest that males with larger frills get the girls! This species mates in the wet season from October to February. The female lays 4-23 eggs in a flat sandy area just below the surface so that they maintain the optimum temperature. After 70 days the eggs will hatch and the young will remain together for up to 10 days (for protection as they receive no parental care) before dispersing.

Diet: They are mainly insectivorous (caterpillars and ants make up 95% of their diet) but may also eat small mammals and pieces of meat.

• The neck frill is a thin fold of skin surrounding the throat, supported by thin cartilage spines, which is raised when the lizard is alarmed and can measure up to 30cm across when fully raised.
• These lizards have a three step response to attack by predators. Often their first response is to freeze on the spot. If this does not work then they turn on the predator, raise their frill, open their mouths (which are brightly coloured either pink or yellow inside) and hiss; if this still doesn’t work, they will simply run up a tree!
• These lizards are famed for their ability to walk and run on their two hind legs.
• Like many reptiles, the sex of their young is determined by the temperature that the eggs are incubated at. Extreme temperatures produce females only, whereas intermediate temperatures result in equal numbers of males and females.
• The Frilled Lizard is considered a national icon in Australia, similar to kangaroos and koalas.