Frilled Dragon (Frilled Neck Lizard)
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlamydosaurus kingii |
| Origin | Northern Australia, New Guinea |
| Size | 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-20 years |
| Temperature | 80-100°F (27-38°C basking) |
| Humidity | 40-70% |
| Enclosure | 4x2x4 feet minimum (vertical) |
| Care Level | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Diet | Insectivore (primarily) |
| Temperament | Nervous, flighty, can tame with patience |
Recommended for Frilled Dragons
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The frill is a stop sign
Frilled dragons are Chlamydosaurus kingii, the big-headed arboreal lizards of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Adults are about 24 to 36 inches, tail included. They usually last 10 to 20 years, and care is intermediate to advanced. The famous ruff opens when the animal is afraid. A pet that displays every time you walk in is a pet that is not settled.
A fair cage is at least 4 by 2 by 4 feet and should be taller than a terrestrial lizard's tank. Give branches that can hold an adult, a basking surface in the 90s to around 100°F, a cooler zone, UVB, and humidity of 40 to 70 percent. They are insect eaters first. Some take greens or a little fruit. Calcium is mandatory. A water dish and misting give them a drink. The lid and the door have to be secure. A frightened frilled dragon bolts.
Captive-bred, and a quiet room
Wild export from Australia is not the legal source of pets. Buy captive-bred. Give the lizard height and a retreat it can reach without climbing through your hands. Short, predictable sessions beat a daily chase around the living room. Two adults in one cage is a dominance problem. House them singly unless you have a reason and the space.
A frill that stays half-open, a limp jaw, or a lizard off its insects is a medical or a UVB problem. Clinics are listed at ARAV.
Frilled dragon questions
When does the frill open?
When the lizard is startled or threatened. It is not a greeting. A frilled dragon that flashes you wants distance. Back off instead of leaning in for a photo.
Are they handleable?
They are nervous and flighty, and some tame with patience. Many stay nervous. A fall from shoulder height injures them. Keep handling low and over a soft surface if you do it at all.
What size cage?
At least 4 by 2 by 4 feet, and taller than a ground lizard's tank. They are arboreal. A long low tank is the wrong shape.
Decision Guides for Frilled Dragon (Frilled Neck Lizard)
Use these only when comparing food, insurance, ownership budget, or beginner fit for this specific pet.