EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

The Amazing Disappearing Lizard

Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), Family Agamidae
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

Explanation:  Will he bite?  Will he dash away?  If you viewed the above video, you know the answer.

Frilled lizards are found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea, and are wonderful denizens of tropical forests and woodlands.  

We chased this one specimen to its "hiding" spot on a tree, in Litchfield National Park in Northern Territory, Australia.  

Growing up to 3 feet (1 m) long, "frillnecks" are the only member of their genus Chlamydosaurus, although only one of over 300 species of their family Agamidae.

The legs, feet, and toes of frilled lizards are wide and flat,
with rough keeled scales and long toes, 
to accommodate hanging vertically on tree bark surfaces.

Frilled lizards extend their neck frill when threatened, appearing larger and vicious so as to thwart attacks.  When dashing for cover, they run bipedally on their hind legs at sprint speeds perhaps reportedly approaching 30 mph (48 kph), although this may need verification.