The frilled lizard is a native of Australia. It is a part of the dragon family and a sub-species of lizards. Its zoological name is Chlamydosaurus kingi. These lizards usually have a total body length ranging from 70 centimeters to 95 centimeterrs. 

A typical characteristic of this lizard is that its skin color matches the color of the land on which it lives. So lizards from different regions will sport the soil color of that region. The males tend to have brighter color than females. Frilled lizards look ferocious but are in no way harmful to man and neither are they poisonous. 

Frills 
The frill that the lizard gets its name from lies in folds around its shoulders and neck. In its normal state, the lizard keeps its frill folded over the shoulder. The frill, which has rows of thin cartilage, is connected to the muscles of the tongue and jaw. And to activate the frill, all that the lizard has to do is to open its mouth wide. The frill spreads out fanlike all around the head, giving it a ferocious look. The frill has brightly colored orange and yellow scales. The bright colors add to the ferocious look. The frill measures about 30 centimeterrs in diameter.  

Fancies
Nature has equipped this lizard with an interesting defense plan. Upon sighting danger, it cringes down into the soil. This movement makes it look like a stout stick and may result in its being totally ignored by the enemy. Its body color also helps in merging it with the background. The next step is to open its mouth and try to frighten away the enemy by a display of its bright frill.

The Frilled Lizard