Frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)

Short answers

Frilled lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 200×100×180 cm for a pair (height is crucial, vertical trunks up to just below the ceiling).

Frilled lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 32–38 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 24–28 °C.

Frilled lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Frilled lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years (only 5–7 in the wild).

Frilled lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

32–38 °C

Night temperature

24–28 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

50–70 % by day, higher at night

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 200×100×180 cm for a pair (height is crucial, vertical trunks up to just below the ceiling)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix or terrarium soil with leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Mostly insects (locusts, roaches, house crickets), rarely rodents or fruit

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

70–90 cm total length (males larger)

Life expectancy

10–15 years (only 5–7 in the wild)

Origin

Northern Australia, southern New Guinea (savannah)

Protection status

— (no CITES; an Australian export ban, captive-bred animals only)

Brumation

A dry-season rest of ~6–8 weeks (cooler, with less light)

Cohabitation

In pairs; males highly territorial, never two together. The reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner.

Notes

A large, climbing tree agama with a high space and height requirement. The males do not tolerate each other; famous for the neck frill it raises when threatening.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

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• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate
• Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×180 cm for a pair (height is crucial, vertical trunks up to just below the ceiling)), substrate (A sand-loam mix or terrarium soil with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.