The Australian frilled lizard is one of the representatives of the Agam family, of which there are more than three hundred species. However, these agamas managed to stand out among the mass of relatives and attract the attention of even those people who are not at all interested in lizards. And the point is not only in their original appearance, which makes individuals look like dragons, but also in a very unusual manner of scaring off enemies and moving around - how many lizards run fast on two legs?

The homeland of these reptiles is South Guinea, in addition, individuals are also found in Australia. A suitable habitat for these creatures is forests, woodlands, as well as savannahs overgrown with trees. Most of the time, individuals are on trees, but they can go down in search of food. Their prey can be both reptiles and invertebrates, as well as small animals.

frilled lizard not too active during the hunt, she patiently waits for the intended victim to approach. During the dry period, all the inhabitants have a hard time - everyone does not have enough food. But the frilled lizard is so patient that it climbs into the crowns of trees and waits there for up to 12 weeks. The fact is that when the lizard is in the shade of the branches, it lacks heat, and the metabolic processes in its body slow down by 70%.

In open areas, representatives of the species have a huge number of enemies - lizards are hunted by cats, snakes, and even predator birds. In the process of evolution, individuals developed a unique protective system:

1. Seeing the enemy, the individual stops moving, as if numb, tries to hide so that the enemy does not notice it. If that doesn't work, then the lizard moves on to the next stage.
2. The reptile begins to make hissing sounds, opening its mouth wide, opening an umbrella collar, twisting its tail and standing up on its hind limbs. In most cases, the pursuer becomes confused and backs down out of surprise.
3. If such actions were unsuccessful, then the frilled lizard quickly runs away, again being in an upright position, using its hind legs, a long tail to maintain balance.

Concerning "cloak", then it performs several functions, in addition to the protective one. This unusual design in the form of a cervical membrane rests on the cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone - in pairs on both sides. Sensing danger, the reptile spreads its cloak, which is supported by outgrowths, like an umbrella on knitting needles. Due to the abundance of blood vessels, the tissues of the collar become bright red or orange in color.

In addition, the “cloak” acts as a thermostat, if necessary, the agama catches ultraviolet rays with it. Also, males "flaunt" this original decoration to attract the attention of females during the mating season.

The color of individuals depends on the area in which they live. For example, a variety of frilled reptiles, whose habitat is the northwestern part of Australia, are colored in yellowish-brown tones. But individuals from the south of New Guinea are darker, in their color there are dark brown, black and gray shades.

How to keep and care for a pet

The frilled lizard is not the easiest to keep a pet which needs certain conditions. The owner, who decides to have such an exotic animal, needs to take care of numerous things.

Spacious and well-equipped terrarium

It is important that the bottom area of ​​the container is of a decent size. Unlike other reptiles, these lizards sit in trees almost all their lives and require space. The length of the tank should be at least 1.3 m, and a height of about a meter.

All walls of the terrarium, except for the front, should be covered with opaque sheets so that the inhabitant feels safe and not stressed. Individuals have excellent eyesight and will react to the slightest movement in the room. In addition, in a closed dwelling, it is easier for a reptile to concentrate on food without being distracted by extraneous things when it is being fed.

By the way, experts advise placing a newly acquired pet in a tank with closed glasses, this will speed up the adaptation process and reduce stress. The tank should be decorated with branches and snags, on which the inhabitant will climb, rest and bask. This will bring the aquarium conditions closer to natural environment.

Lighting and temperature conditions

To increase the humidity in the terrarium, it is recommended to periodically spray it with water. For a comfortable stay of the reptile, the tank should be equipped with a UV lamp and a heater. In the heating zone, the air temperature should warm up to 40 ° -46 ° C, the heat should be directed to the upper branches.

It is important to place the devices correctly - at a decent distance from the branches (no less than 30-35 cm), so that the lizards do not get burned. The air temperature in the rest of the area is 30°-32°C, at night it can drop by 5-7 degrees. The light day of these inhabitants should last about 12 hours.

Suitable substrate

A mixture that includes coconut flakes, sand and garden soil works best. It is poured with a layer of at least 4 cm, the material perfectly retains moisture and does not rise into the air with dust. It is also acceptable to use mulch and special mats for reptiles.

How and what to feed frilled reptiles

The basis of the diet of these reptiles is insects. It is advisable to feed these exotic pets with a variety of foods - crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, worms, zoophobus larvae. To include a top dressing containing vitamin D3 and calcium in the pet’s menu, you can sprinkle food on it. Large representatives of the species can eat naked mice.

Lizards will be happy to eat pieces of fruit, but here everything is individual - the owner should find out what his pet likes. Young animals should be given food every day, three times a day, and it is better to use medium-sized insects.

Adults are offered food 1-2 times a day, not forgetting the vitamin-calcium supplement. Lizards bearing offspring are fed 3-4 times a day, adding top dressing to each feeding.

Do reptiles need water?

In their natural environment, frilled lizards maintain water balance during the rainy season. In captivity, the humidity in their home should be approximately 70%. To maintain it, you should spray the walls and decor of the tank with water every day, and young animals - at least three times a day. If finances allow, it is recommended to equip the terrarium with a special system that will maintain air humidity in the tank.

If the lizard wants to drink, then it will collect water droplets from objects, as in nature it drinks them from the leaves of trees. But a bowl or drinker will not attract her attention in any way. But you can still install it so that the moisture evaporates and provides the necessary humidity. How do you know if a reptile is dehydrated? First of all, her eyes sink. The second sign is a change in the structure of the skin; after a pinch, the resulting fold is not smoothed out.

In these cases, you should immediately spray the tank with water and observe how the pet behaves. And it’s better, without waiting for the worst, to immediately go to the veterinarian - perhaps the lizard will need a subcutaneous injection of liquid.

The frilled lizard is amazing unusual creature, which does not need caresses and sitting on the handles, like a cat or a dog. Therefore, it is worth protecting the pet from excessive attention and contact, since, when worried, the individual will turn on its defense system, which will significantly shorten its life cycle.

A lizard is an animal that belongs to the class of reptiles (reptiles), the squamous order, the lizard suborder. In Latin, the suborder of the lizard is called Lacertilia, formerly the name was Sauria.

The reptile got its name from the word “lizard”, which comes from the Old Russian word “skor”, meaning “skin”.

The most big lizard in the world - komodo dragon

The smallest lizard in the world.

The smallest lizards in the world are the Haraguan sphero (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) and the Virginian round-toed gecko (Sphaerodactylus parthenopion). The size of the babies does not exceed 16-19 mm, and the weight reaches 0.2 grams. These cute and harmless reptiles live in the Dominican Republic and on Virgin Islands.

Where do lizards live?

A variety of species of lizards live on all continents except Antarctica. Representatives of reptiles familiar to Russia are real lizards that live almost everywhere: they can be found in fields, forests, steppes, gardens, mountains, deserts, near rivers and lakes. All types of lizards move perfectly on any surface, firmly clinging to all sorts of bulges and bumps. Rock species of lizards are excellent jumpers, the height of the jump of these mountain dwellers reaches 4 meters.

large predators, such as monitor lizard, hunt small animals - their own kind, and also eat the eggs of birds and reptiles with pleasure. The monitor lizard from Komodo Island, the largest lizard in the world, attacks wild boars and even buffalo and deer. The Moloch lizard eats exclusively, while the pink-tongued skink eats only terrestrial mollusks. Some large iguana and skink lizards are almost entirely vegetarian, with a menu of ripe fruits, leaves, flowers, and plant pollen. Lizards in nature are extremely cautious and agile, approaching the intended prey stealthily, and then attack with a swift jerk and capture the prey in their mouths.

Komodo monitor lizard eating buffalo

Agam family. Lives in the north of the Australian continent and the south of the island B natural conditions can live up to 5 years, in captivity lives up to 10 years.

In length, the frilled lizard grows up to 80 cm, with more than 50 cm falling on the tail. Weight can be up to 0.7 kg. Her body may have a pinkish tint or dark gray. There are transverse stripes running along the tail and back, which are more noticeable in young individuals. The whole body is covered with scales that perform a protective function.

The name of the lizard was due to a thin skin membrane around the neck, interrupted at the back of the head and dissected under the throat, resembling a collar or cloak. covered with flat scales, slightly thickened towards the edges and supported by two long cartilaginous outgrowths. When the muscles that support the outgrowths are tense, the cloak can rise and fall when these muscles relax. In a calm state, the collar of lizards is hardly noticeable.

The cloak of males is brightly colored, since in addition to scaring off enemies, it also serves to attract females to mating season. With the help of the collar, the animal can regulate its body temperature: in the morning, the protruding cloak catches Sun rays, at elevated temperatures it promotes cooling.

The frilled lizard lives in trees, but in search of food it can descend to the ground. Prey are various invertebrates and small reptiles, less often small mammals.

The frilled lizard is vulnerable to enemies of snakes, cats) in open areas. Therefore, she developed her own special defense mechanism. When meeting with the enemy, she freezes, hoping that she will go unnoticed. If she is still seen, she sharply straightens her collar and makes hissing sounds. The more the mouth opens, the more the collar unfolds, which in adult males can reach a diameter of 20 cm. As a rule, the enemy retreats from surprise. To enhance the effect produced, the lizard flaunts its teeth, rises on its hind legs and twists its tail. If all intimidation fails, she flees or attacks the enemy. When attacking, it can bite painfully, inflict tangible blows with a tail covered with prickly scales. When fleeing, the frilled lizard moves only on its hind legs, using its tail to maintain balance.

During the breeding season, the male, nodding his head in a certain way, invites the female to mate. During intercourse, the male holds the female with his teeth. Later, the female, having made a hole in the wet sand, will lay 8-14 eggs in it. The offspring will hatch in approximately 10 weeks.

There are lovers who keep lizards at home. The terrarium must have driftwood and a drinking bowl with clean water, in which you need to put a stone so that you can get out of the bowl. required. The temperature should be maintained at 30°C and the terrarium should be sprayed periodically, at least once a day.

You can buy lizard food at pet stores. You can also feed your pet with live insects, small mammals, bird eggs. A domestic lizard will not refuse a prepared mixture consisting of meat, grated carrots and chopped lettuce in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. It is desirable to add vitamins and calcium to such a mixture.

frilled lizard, domestic lizard, photo, content, food, reproduction - 4.8 out of 5 based on 8 votes

frilled lizard

Frilled lizard (lat. Chlamydosaurus kingii) is a lizard from the Agam family (Agamidae). Chlamydosaurus is the only species in the genus. Frilled lizard leads a solitary tree image life. Males are much larger than females, so an adult male can reach 100 cm in length and weigh up to 870 g, adult females are smaller than males: 80 cm in length and weigh up to 400 g. Coloring is from yellow-brown to black-brown. The frilled lizard owes its name to a special skin formation covering the neck of the animal, a membrane covered with flat scales and jagged along the edges.

This collar is a thin skin membrane, inside of which there are cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone - two on each side. Under the action of a special muscle located on the animal's throat, the cloak can rise and fall. In a calm state, the collar is folded and pressed against the body of the lizard. At the moment of danger, the animal opens its mouth, and the collar automatically opens. And if it was not possible to scare the predator, the frilled lizard can bite hard. In captivity, lizards quickly get used to people and rarely show their "decoration". Another purpose of the protruding collar is to regulate body temperature. In the morning, the lizard catches the sun's rays with it, and in case of severe overheating, it helps the lizard to cool down. It also plays an important role in attracting females and fighting rivals. The features of the frilled lizard are a long tail, which is two-thirds of the body length, and movement on its hind legs.

Frilled lizards require a vertical or cubic terrarium at least 2 body lengths high as an adult lizard. It should be set so that its center is at eye level. It must be remembered that a pet lizard kept outside a terrarium is at constant risk of colds (as a result of drafts and lack of heating), injuries and can easily escape.

As a soil, you can use sand, soil, coconut chips or special rugs. Newsprint is easy to clean but not aesthetically pleasing. Large pieces of bark, in the case of spruce, they are very dusty, can be washed and dried. They are generally too large to swallow, but can irritate the limbs of burrowing lizards. A good option is ready-made shavings for rodents - it does not attract the attention of lizards, it is convenient and inexpensive to replace. If the lizard is actively interested in the substrate or pieces of it are found in the feces, it is necessary to change the soil. The soil for flowers used in the terrarium should not contain fertilizers and additives. It is practically harmless if swallowed, but it produces too much dust in dry cages and too much dirt in wet cages. Clumping cat litter is not acceptable.

AT wild nature most Frilled lizards spend time on trees and shrubs, so several thick branches must be installed in the terrarium, then the animal will feel safe. Pine bark can be attached to the walls of a terrarium to simulate tree trunks. In this case, the bark should have a fairly rough texture. Also, as a decor, you can use cork climbing plates, artificial stones and plants. Living plants in the terrarium should be non-poisonous, free of thorns and slippery surfaces, branches should not break under the weight of the lizard. Make sure the plant can withstand the temperature and humidity the lizard needs. To make your terrarium easier to clean, use potted plants. Artificial flowers may be coated with toxic water soluble agents and are not recommended for use in terrariums.

During the day in the terrarium, the necessary change in temperature from the hot zone (no more than 37 ° C) to the cold zone (about 30 ° C) should be ensured. At night, the temperature in the terrarium should be at least 21 ° C. Required external sources heat: incandescent, infrared or glass-ceramic lamps. Substrate heating can be arranged using heating mats. The brighter the lighting, the better. Also in the terrarium it is necessary to install an ultraviolet lamp. If you organize several heated areas in one large terrarium, then you can keep several frilled lizards at once.

To provide the necessary humidity, a container of water must be placed at the cool end of the terrarium. For small animals it is necessary to use a smaller bowl of water, or put a stone in it so that the lizard can easily get out of the water. Humidity is a very important factor that is often overlooked. Humidity from 50 to 70% is suitable. At high humidity and temperature, pathogenic bacteria and fungi begin to actively develop, but this can be avoided with good ventilation. Low humidity can be corrected by placing damp sponges in the terrarium or spraying the soil and surfaces frequently.

If the terrarium is large enough (for example, width 1000, height 1000, depth 500) and has several heated areas of large branches, then in this case it is possible to keep several young animals together, up to 4 juvenile lizards, or 1-2 adult animals. But do not keep both young and adults at the same time.

Depending on age, animals can be divided into several groups: babies - 0-3 months old, teenagers - 4-12 months old, young animals 13-19 months old and adult lizards - about 20 months old and older. When keeping several young and adult lizards together, it is necessary to carefully monitor them and, in case of aggression towards each other, seat them in a timely manner. It is not advisable to keep several males together - dominant males will show aggression towards more submissive individuals.

After handling a lizard, wash your hands with soap and water.

Frilled lizard food

Diet: Insects, spiders, crickets, zoophobus, mealworms, small mammals, other lizards, bird eggs. You can use a mixture consisting of 40% minced meat, 40% finely grated carrots and 20% finely chopped lettuce. All this must be thoroughly mixed and add the necessary vitamins and calcium.

Tamed adults can descend on their own and eat the mixture from a bowl; tweezers or a clip must be used to feed toddlers and adolescents.

Adult lizards need to be fed twice a week in winter and three times a week in summer period. Young lizards up to six months old should be fed daily, animals up to two years of age - three times a week in winter and four times in summer. Feeding should be done when the animal is most active. When keeping babies or teenagers together, it is necessary to feed the animals separately, in order to avoid damage to the leather fold - the raincoat, since when eating the raincoat rises and falls, this movement attracts others and can lead to bites. It is also necessary to ensure that the animal eats the food offered, otherwise the insects can get under the skin fold of the lizard and harm it. If the pet does not eat food for a week, then you should not worry under two conditions: getting enough water and the lizard is in good condition.

The terrarium should always have a bowl of water, which must be changed at least once a day (since lizards like to climb into a bowl of water and defecate there).

Lizard breeding

Before breeding frilled lizards, you need to make sure that the pair is mature and healthy. The female must be at least two years old. Of course, they are capable of breeding earlier, but this can be dangerous. Young females have a high probability of egg binding due to the small stature of the lizard. The production of eggs takes a lot of energy and calcium from the body of the lizard, which also grows. early motherhood will most likely shorten the lifespan of the lizard. Males are able to breed without problems at the age of one. To encourage reproduction, it is best to provide a slightly cooler dry season followed by a warm, wet season. Usually, during the dry period, frilled lizards sit on branches with eyes closed and immobile. With the advent of the warm, wet season, their appetite and activity increase. After about a month of warm wet conditions observed mating games. After successful mating, the female burrows 8 to 14 eggs into a damp hole in the sand. After about ten weeks, offspring hatch.

The pregnant female needs to be transplanted into a separate terrarium with a 200 mm layer of soil consisting of mixed peat, soil and moss. To prevent the eggs from getting wet (when the lizard is about to lay a clutch), the water container must be removed. If the animal stops eating at the same time, make sure that the pet is not suffering from dehydration. Females are not prone to digging numerous holes and long searches. best place for laying, which is why it is important to have a ready site, otherwise egg binding can occur.

After all the eggs have been laid and buried, we take them out and place them half buried in the raw vermiculite. The incubation temperature should be between 28-29°C, but not more than 30°C, as this will destroy the eggs. Incubation period is approximately 70 days. At lower and more high temperatures only females develop.

Contract - lizards

Family - Agamas

Genus/Species - Chlamydosaurus kingi

Basic data:

DIMENSIONS

Length: up to 80 cm.

Collar diameter: 15 cm.

Weight up to 500 g.

BREEDING

Puberty: from 2-3 years old.

Mating period: early spring.

Number of eggs: 2-8.

Incubation period: 8-12 weeks.

LIFE STYLE

Habits: frilled lizard (see photo) - loner; does not care about offspring; guards its territory.

What does it eat: insects, spiders and small mammals.

Lifespan: about 8-10 years in captivity, in nature - unknown.

RELATED SPECIES

There are about 300 species of agamas, about 65 of which live in Australia, such as moloch and water leguan.

The frilled lizard lives in trees in Northern Australia and New Guinea. When this reptile raises its unusual collar, it becomes, undoubtedly, the most beautiful lizard of the continent. On the ground, the frilled lizard moves very quickly, running mainly on its hind legs.

WHAT DOES IT FEED

The basis of the diet of the lizard is insects, spiders, small mammals. There are only a few species of lizards that feed mainly on plant food. These lizards often become the prey of other animals themselves.

BREEDING

The male lizard guards his territory and drives out rivals. During the breeding season, during fights, males open their collar, showing off his collar in front of each other. bright color. In males, the front collar is brightly colored with numerous blue, white and pink spots, and the chest and throat are jet black. marriage ritual agamas, which include the frilled lizard, are quite complex. Males tend to win the favor of females. The eggs are fertilized in the body of the female. After laying eggs, the mother does not care about them or about the cubs, which lead an independent life from the moment of birth. Cubs are born after 8-12 weeks.

LIFESTYLE

Like most other lizards, the frilled lizard is active during the day. The sun, heating its blood, transfers the energy that the lizard spends in search of food. Rigid scales covering her body protect her from fluid loss. She lives in trees, where she often lies on branches and basks in the sun.

This lizard moves equally well both in trees and on the surface of the earth. She can run on both two and four limbs. When the frilled lizard runs along the ground on its hind legs, it keeps its body almost vertically raised above the ground. At the same time, the front legs hang down freely, and the raised tail makes oscillatory movements and helps maintain balance. Paleontologists believe that some ancient reptiles, such as dinosaurs, moved in this way.

The body of the lizard from above has a pink or dark gray color with dark color transverse stripes on the back and on the tail. The collar of this lizard is a thin leather membrane covered with scales. On each side, it is supported by two long cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone. In case of impending danger, the lizard opens the collar like an umbrella. At the same time, her mouth opens, and the more it opens, the wider the umbrella collar unfolds. At the same time, the lizard itself sits on its hind legs, raising the front of the body high. If the enemy does not retreat, then the frilled lizard goes on the attack: it bites strongly and strikes with its long tail. It is thought that the collar of this lizard also serves as a collector solar heat and captures the sun's rays.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

AT recent times they began to be kept in terrariums and zoos. The lizard frightens enemies with its amazing "clothing" that resembles an umbrella. However, he uses it only as a last resort, basically running away from his pursuers on his strong hind legs, besides, he hurries to run to the nearest tree, where he hides among the branches. The lizard is up to 80 cm long.

• The frilled lizard is often kept as a pet. In captivity, she raises her collar only in exceptional cases.
• A remarkable feature of this lizard is its ability to run on its hind legs, keeping its body almost vertically raised above the ground. She maintains balance while running with the help of her tail.
• Along the edges of the jaw, the lizard grows strong teeth, similar to human ones: molars, fangs and incisors.
• Another tree-dwelling lizard in Australia is the Gulde monitor. Aborigines believe that wounds from his bites do not heal.
• The frilled lizard featured on the Australian two-cent coin. The lizard is also called the "dragon lizard".

Self-Defense Mechanisms of the Frilled Lizard

The collar is covered with large scales, the edges are serrated. The color of the collar varies depending on the habitat of the lizard.

In case of danger, the collar opens like an umbrella. This movement is accompanied by opening a wide mouth and hitting the ground with the tail.

- Habitat of the frilled lizard

WHERE Dwells

The frilled lizard lives in Northern and Northwestern Australia, as well as in New Guinea.

PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION

Today, this lizard is not threatened with extinction.

Large frilled lizard. Impressive view. Video (00:02:08)

Large frilled lizard can reach 90 cm from the nose to the tip of the tail.
The lizard's attempts to look more impressive are funny.
However, the fact that she is only able to walk and run on her hind legs is quite impressive.
This style of running may not look natural, but for them it is the norm.
Researchers say that when they are not in trees, they spend 90 percent of their time on their hind legs.
Why do they run in such a strange way?
The lizard climbs the tree. At a height of about 2 meters, it freezes.
Looks like she's in a trap. And again in motion. Runs on hind legs. Someone has been caught.
These lizards feed on insects seen from the trees.
Thanks to good eyesight a frilled lizard can spot a grasshopper at a distance of 20 meters.
Seeing food, she immediately rushes after it.
If she moved on 4 legs, the grass would block the view and the insect could be lost from sight.
Standing upright, the lizard can constantly see the target.

Frilled Lizard Attacks Human. Video (00:00:30)

Frilled lizard. Animals & fish. Video (00:05:20)

Frilled lizard. huge claws, strong paws, sharp teeth, long tail, a fan around the neck -
This is the Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), of the Agamidae family (Agamidae). An amazing lizard, common in Australia and lives alone, climbing high on a tree. The lizard has a long, dangerous tail, covered with sharp scales, which serve as a defense against an enemy attack.
The tail of the frilled lizard is one third of the body length and serves as a tool for attack and hunting.
The lizard has one feature - a large collar fold around the neck.
In times of danger, when the muscles of the neck tense up, the collar of the lizard rises and turns bright colors. and scares off enemies.
During the breeding season, the collar serves to attract females.
In the absence of sunlight, the collar traps heat and keeps the lizard warm.
The Frilled Lizard hunts in trees and on the ground.
During danger and hunting, the Frilled Lizard opens its dangerous, huge mouth, begins to hiss intimidatingly.
With a sharp throw, SHE attacks the gaping victim, clinging to it with huge paws with incredibly sharp claws.
In case of danger, the Frilled Lizard will definitely open its huge mouth, showing the victim a series of dangerous sharp teeth.
With its gait, the Frilled Lizard resembles dangerous dinosaurs that died out millions of years ago.
The lizard hunts small mammals, will not refuse to feast large insects and spiders. She destroys bird nests and eats bird eggs.

When keeping the Frilled Lizard in a domestic environment, a terrarium is necessary.
The terrarium should have a pool of water for body thermoregulation. The lizard loves to swim.
The humidity level in the terrarium is from 50 to 70%.
Even if there is a clean water pool in the terrarium, a necessary condition: the water must always be crystal clear.
Additionally, do not forget to spray the terrarium at least 2 times a day, or put special installation sprinkling,
The temperature in the terrarium should be between 24 and 28 degrees. At night, do not drop the temperature below 20 degrees.
Install a thermostat, check the temperature in different angles terrarium.

Frilled Lizard - Frilled Lizard (Animal Encyclopedia). Video (00:00:53)

Chlamydosaurus kingii
These lizards are found in New Guinea and northwestern Australia.
On the head is a fold of skin filled with blood vessels. At the moment of danger, she inflates it, changing color and thereby visually becomes larger, frightening predators. In addition, she stands on her hind legs to appear taller and also runs away on two legs.

All About Pets: Frilled Lizard - Real Dinosaur! Video (00:03:25)

Frilled lizard. Video (00:01:13)

Trying new food...

The struggle of two male frilled lizards for a female. Video (00:01:17)

The male of the frilled lizard, the owner of the territory, is trying to drive away the rival. The stranger turns his head to the opponent.
War has been declared. Both show a menacing stance and open collars.
The battle is over. The alien male runs through the park and leaves the territory.
Yes, males arrange violent fights for females.

All About Pets: Frilled Lizard - Let's Get Acquainted. Video (00:03:39)

The mystery of the frilled lizards. Video (00:02:56)

Scientists believe that the ancestors of frilled lizards began to stand upright to improve the view of the area.
It took time to get back on my feet. But in the end, they learned to run on their hind legs.
Most other lizards do not have this ability. Why does the frilled ones have it?
The key to this mystery is in their posture. Other lizards can raise their bodies by about this much, the weight of the head prevents them from rising higher.
The frilled lizard is held vertically by throwing its head back.
The center of gravity shifts towards the hind legs, making it easier to move.
Also, to maintain balance, these reptiles stretch their long tails.
In fact, frilled lizards keep their backs upright at all times, even when perched on a tree.
They do it for the purpose of disguise. Arching its back, this lizard became like a branch.
This remarkable feature is the result of their habitual posture.
She descends again and catches the insect. Bipedalism gives best review. It allows you to keep an eye on the prey while hunting, increasing the chances of success.
However, most lizards catch their prey by moving on 4 legs without having a view of the frilled ones.
How do they do it? This is a very interesting question.
As a rule, lizards rely more on charm than sight when tracking prey.
They use language. The tongue collects smells from the air, telling who is nearby - a victim or a predator.
As for the frilled lizards, they hunt from ambush looking around the surroundings from a height.