Frilled Dragon

Looks how to spot one

Scaly skin with a large neck frill

The body is covered in rough, keeled scales and is generally grey, brown, orangish-brown or black. The most striking feature is the large, thin fold of skin around the neck that can be raised like a frill, often as wide as the lizard is long. The frill lies flat like a cape over the shoulders when relaxed.15

Personality what they are like

Frilled dragons are generally peaceful once settled in. They can be shy at first, often hiding behind tree trunks, but with gentle handling they become confident and will readily take food from their keeper. They are intelligent and easy to scoop out of their enclosure once trust is built. Australian individuals tend to be bolder than those from New Guinea.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These lizards are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of the day clinging to vertical trunks. They need plenty of climbing space and will benefit from daily misting and opportunities to bask. They are not highly active but do require room to move and explore.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Mist the enclosure daily to maintain humidity between 50 and 70 percent. Provide a water bowl and ensure droplets are available for drinking. Clean the enclosure regularly and spot-clean waste. No special grooming is needed, but watch for signs of dehydration or stuck shed.27

Home where they are happiest

A tall enclosure is essential. For a single adult, the minimum is 3 feet long, 2 feet wide and 4 feet tall; a pair or trio needs 4 feet long, 2.5 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Use solid walls with a front viewing area. Provide sturdy branches for climbing, a basking spot reaching up to 115°F (46°C), and a cooler area around 85-90°F (29-32°C). Night temperature can drop to room temperature. Use full-spectrum UVB lighting. Substrate can be coarse sand or bare bottom; artificial plants are recommended as live ones will be destroyed.27

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed a variety of appropriately sized insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, grasshoppers, superworms, hornworms and waxworms. Dust insects with a calcium and vitamin supplement. Adults can also be offered a pinky mouse every two weeks for extra calcium. They rarely eat plant material but may occasionally take fruit.27

Company who they like around

Frilled dragons are generally solitary but can be kept in pairs or trios if the enclosure is large enough. Males may be territorial, so only one male per group is recommended. They are not venomous and are legal to keep in most countries, but check local regulations as they are protected in Australia and export is banned.24

The story where it all began

The frilled dragon has been known to science since 1825, when it was described by John Edward Gray. It became a cultural icon in Australia during the 1980s after featuring in a popular Japanese car commercial, and it even appeared on the Australian two-cent coin. In the pet trade, most animals come from New Guinea because Australia does not export its wildlife. They are considered challenging to keep in captivity and are best suited to experienced reptile keepers.48

Recognised by the official bits

The Reptile Database

Recognised as the sole species in the genus Chlamydosaurus, named after Captain Philip Parker King.8