How to Care for an Australian Frilled Dragon Lizard

The Frill-neck Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) is so-named for the large frill of skin it flares out when threatened. Also known as the Australian Frilled Dragon Lizard, it has the unique ability among reptiles to run bipedally, even on water. The Frill-neck Lizard can be kept in captivity, although it is not an easy animal to care for. Read on to learn how to care for an Australian Frilled Dragon Lizard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Acquire a specialist "keep" permit for the Frill-neck Lizard, if needed. This is required in its native South Australia and is only granted to applicants that have kept reptiles for several years as the Frill-neck Lizard should not be kept by beginners.
2. Keep the vivarium at an elevated level to simulate their natural arboreal habitat. It should have trunks and branches with a rough texture with plenty of hiding places and a lining of fine sand. Ensure multiple basking sites are available when keeping more than one lizard in the same vivarium.
3. Feed Frilled-neck Lizards a diet of live crickets or roaches and wet cat food mixed with fresh vegetables. This mix also should be sprinkled with vitamin and mineral supplements occasionally.
4. Watch for sulk sessions by Frill-neck Lizards. This occurs when they ignore their surroundings, including food and other animals, for prolonged periods. This is most often caused by a change in location or overhandling.
5. House adult males separately. A group of Frill-neck Lizards should consist of a single dominant male and adult females with a maximum of four individuals per cubic meter of space in the vivarium. Gravid females should be separated before they lay their eggs.