The Australian frilled lizard is one of the representatives of the agamidae 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 - how many lizards run quickly on two legs?

The homeland of these reptiles is South Guinea; in addition, individuals are also found in Australia. The suitable habitat for these creatures is forests, woodlands, and savannas overgrown with trees. Most At times, individuals are found in the trees, but they can descend to search for food. Their prey can include both reptiles and invertebrates, as well as small animals.

The frilled lizard is not too active during the hunt; it waits patiently for the intended victim to approach. During the dry period, all the inhabitants have a hard time - there is not enough food for everyone. 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 branches, it lacks warmth, and metabolic processes in its body slow down by 70%.

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

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

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

In addition, the “cloak” serves as a thermostat; if required, the agama uses it to catch ultraviolet rays. Males also “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 species of frilled reptiles, whose habitat is the northwestern part of Australia, are colored yellowish-brown. But individuals from the south of New Guinea are darker, their color contains 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. An 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 their entire lives and require space. The length of the tank should be at least 1.3 m and the height about a meter.

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

By the way, experts advise placing a newly acquired pet in a tank with closed glass, 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 warm up. 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 for 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 position 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 become 5-7 degrees lower. The daylight hours of these inhabitants should last about 12 hours.

Suitable substrate

A mixture that includes coconut shavings, sand and garden soil is best. It is poured in a layer of at least 4 cm; the material retains moisture well and does not rise into the air as dust. It is also permissible 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. These exotic pets It is advisable to feed a variety of food - crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, worms, zoophobus larvae. To include a supplement containing vitamin D3 and calcium in your pet’s menu, you can sprinkle it on the food. Major representatives species can eat naked mice.

Lizards will be happy to feast on pieces of fruit, but everything is individual here - 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 small 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 additional fertilizer to each feeding.

Do reptiles need water?

In their natural environment, frilled lizards support 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 for young animals - at least three times a day. If finances allow, it is recommended to equip a terrarium special system, which will maintain air humidity in the container.

If the lizard wants to drink, then it will collect droplets of water from objects, since in nature it drinks them from the leaves of trees. But a bowl or drinking bowl will not attract her attention. But you can still install it so that the moisture evaporates and provides the necessary humidity. How can you tell if your reptile is suffering from dehydration? First of all, her eyes are sunken. The second sign is a change in the structure of the skin; after pinching, the resulting fold does not smooth 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 veterinarian– the lizard may need subcutaneous fluid administration.

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

The frilled lizard is a reptile from the agamidae family of the suborder of lizards of the squamate order.

Appearance of frilled lizard

The lizard's body may have a dark gray or pinkish color. The entire body of the animal is covered with scales. There is a pattern of transverse stripes on the back and tail. This pattern is more pronounced in young individuals.

Around the neck of the frilled lizard there is a kind of leathery membrane that resembles a cloak in appearance. Thanks to this detail, this type of lizard got its name. This collar divides below the throat and breaks off near the top of the neck. Closer to the edges, the collar skin becomes thicker.

The shape of this “cloak” is supported by two cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone. When the muscles supporting these cartilaginous outgrowths relax, the cloak falls. If these muscles are tense, the cloak rises accordingly. Usually this collar is lowered and not conspicuous. In males the collar is colored bright colors, which not only helps them scare away ill-wishers, but also helps to attract the attention of females during the breeding season.

This cloak is also directly involved in thermoregulation. At high temperature environment he creates additional area to cool the body, and with a lack of sun or in the morning helps to better capture sun rays and, accordingly, heat the animal’s body.

Range and habitats of the frilled lizard

The natural habitat of this reptile is located in Southern Guinea, as well as in North-Western and Northern Australia.

Within its range, the lizard is found in wooded areas, hot open forests, as well as in savannas overgrown with trees and shrubs.

Lifestyle and nutrition of the frilled lizard

The lizard spends almost all its time in the trees, but in search of prey it can descend to the ground. This prey, as a rule, is small reptiles, invertebrates and mammals.

This lizard's hunting method is to patiently wait for its prey. During drought, when there is an acute shortage of food, the lizard is able to climb into the crowns of trees and wait there for about 3 months. The fact is that in the shade of a tree in conditions of lack of heat, the metabolism of this animal decreases by 70%.

On open area The frilled lizard has a lot of enemies. This different kinds cats, snakes and even birds of prey. Under these conditions, the lizard developed its own special defense system. Seeing an enemy, the lizard freezes, trying to hide and remain unnoticed by the enemy. If this does not work, the animal proceeds to the second stage, namely, hisses and opens its collar, and also twists its tail and rises on its hind limbs. As a rule, the enemy gets lost and retreats.

If these measures prove futile, the frilled lizard retreats. She quickly runs away on her hind legs, while maintaining balance with her long tail.

Reproduction of frilled lizards

For these lizards, the breeding season begins with the arrival of the warm, wet season. In nature, females begin to reproduce at the age of about two years, and males at one year. Mating is preceded by mating games, during which the male tries to attract the female with special head movements, similar to nods.

After mating, the female lays 8 to 14 eggs in wet sand. The incubation period lasts for about ten weeks, after which offspring are born.

These lizards can be kept either individually or in small groups. It is worth remembering that frilled lizards are territorial animals. For this reason, two males should not be placed in the same terrarium. The terrarium for keeping these lizards should be quite spacious. It must be located in quiet place, where there is no strong vibration and sharp loud sounds.

The terrarium for this lizard can be either cubic or vertical. To keep two individuals, a terrarium with a height of 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.4 m is required. For each additional individual, the volume of the terrarium should be increased by 20%. It is also advisable to place a pool with warm water for regular bathing of lizards.

Lighting and Humidity

To produce the proper amount of vitamin D in the lizard's body, the terrarium must be equipped with special lamps that emit the full spectrum of UVB radiation. Such lamps should be placed approximately 30 cm above the lizards, as their effectiveness decreases as the distance increases. Such lamps must be changed every year.

To maintain optimal levels relative humidity(50 – 70%) it is necessary to spray the terrarium twice a day, or install a special sprinkling installation.

Temperature of keeping frilled lizard

The temperature throughout the terrarium should be 24 – 27 °C, and at the heating point 35 – 38 °C. This temperature regime is very important for the life of frilled lizards, since they are cold-blooded animals and need external regulation of body temperature. At night, the temperature in the terrarium should not be less than 20 °C. To heat the terrarium, you should use special night lamps or ceramic heaters.

It would be a good idea to install a special thermometer in the terrarium, the readings of which will display the temperature in various parts terrarium. This will allow you to promptly notice the discrepancy between the current temperature and the standards and adjust the heating devices. You can also install a special thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature.

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

frilled lizard

Frilled lizard (lat. Chlamydosaurus kingii) is a lizard from the agamidae family. In the genus Chlamydosaurus is the only kind. Frilled lizard leads a solitary wood 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. The color ranges from yellow-brown to black-brown. The frilled lizard owes its name to the special skin formation covering the animal's neck - a membrane, covered with flat scales and jagged along the edges.

This collar is a thin membrane of skin, inside 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 calm state the collar is folded and pressed against the lizard's body. At the moment of danger, the animal opens its mouth, and the collar automatically opens. And if you fail to scare the predator, the frilled lizard can bite hard. In captivity, lizards quickly get used to people and rarely show off 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 cool down. He also plays important role in attracting females and fighting rivals. Features of the frilled lizard are a long tail, making up two-thirds of the body length, and movement on its hind legs.

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

You can use sand, soil, coconut shavings or special mats as soil. Newsprint is easy to clean, but not aesthetically pleasing. Large pieces of bark, which in the case of spruce are very dusty, can be washed and dried. They are generally too large to swallow, but can cause irritation to the limbs of digging lizards. A good option is ready-made shavings for rodents - they do not attract the attention of lizards, they are 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. Flower soil used in a terrarium should not contain fertilizers or additives. It is practically harmless if swallowed, but produces too much dust in dry terrariums and produces too much dirt in wet ones. Clumping cat litter is not acceptable.

IN wildlife Frilled lizards spend most of their time on trees and bushes, so it is necessary to install several thick branches in the terrarium, then the animal will feel safe. Pine bark can be attached to the walls of the terrarium to imitate tree trunks. In this case, the bark should have a fairly rough texture. You can also use cork climbing plates, artificial stones and plants as decoration. Living plants in the terrarium must be non-poisonous, have no thorns or slippery surfaces, and branches must not break under the weight of the lizard. Make sure that the plant can withstand the temperature and humidity conditions required by the lizard. To make cleaning your terrarium easier, use potted plants. Artificial flowers may be coated with a film of toxic water-soluble agents and are not recommended for use in terrariums.

During the day, the terrarium must provide the necessary temperature change from the hot zone (no more than 37 °C) to the cold zone (about 30 °C). At night, the temperature in the terrarium should not be lower than 21 °C. Required external sources heat: incandescent, infrared or glass-ceramic lamps. Heating of the substrate can be done using heating mats. The brighter the lighting, the better. It is also necessary to install in the terrarium ultraviolet lamp. If you organize several heated areas in one large terrarium, 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, you need 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 very important factor, which often does not receive enough attention. A humidity range of 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 frequently misting the soil and surfaces.

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 several young animals, up to 4 teenage lizards, or 1-2 adult animals can be kept together. But do not keep young and adult individuals at the same time.

Depending on their age, animals can be divided into several groups: babies - 0-3 months, teenagers - 4-12 months, young animals 13-19 months and adult lizards - about 20 months 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, promptly seat them. It is not advisable to keep several males together - dominant males will show aggression towards more submissive individuals.

After handling the lizard, you should wash your hands with soap.

Frilled lizard food

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

Tamed adults can climb down on their own and eat the mixture from the bowl; for feeding babies and adolescents, it is necessary to use tweezers or a clamp.

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 of age must be given food 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 children or teenagers together, it is necessary to feed the animals separately in order to avoid damage to the fold of skin - the cloak, since when eating the cloak 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 insects can get under the lizard's skin fold and cause harm to it. If your pet does not eat food for a week, then there is no need to worry under two conditions: getting enough water and the lizard being in good condition.

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

Lizard Reproduction

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 reproducing earlier, but this can be dangerous. Young females have a high probability of egg binding due to the lizard's small stature. The production of eggs takes a lot of energy and calcium from the lizard’s body, which is also growing. Early motherhood will likely shorten the lizard's lifespan. Males are able to reproduce without problems at one year of age. To stimulate 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 inactive. With the arrival of the warm, wet season, their appetite and activity increase. After about a month of warm wet conditions mating games are observed. After successful mating, the female buries 8 to 14 eggs in a damp hole in the sand. After about ten weeks, the 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 eggs), the container with water must be removed. If the animal stops eating, make sure that the pet is not suffering from dehydration. Females are not inclined to dig numerous holes and spend a long time searching best place for laying, this is why it is important to have a ready area, otherwise egg binding may occur.

Once all the eggs are laid and buried, we remove them and place them half buried in damp vermiculite. The incubation temperature should be between 28-29 °C, but not more than 30 °C, as this will lead to the destruction of the eggs. The incubation period is approximately 70 days. At lower and higher high temperatures Only female individuals develop.

Rating 4.75 (8 Votes)

A unique species from the agamidae family, which is distinguished by its very unusual appearance. The large collar-shaped skin fold that is located around the head allows it to be unmistakably distinguished from many species of lizards. It is not difficult to guess that it was thanks to the exotic “cloak” that the lizard got its name.

The “cloak” serves the lizard as both a means of protection and communication with its relatives. The cervical membrane is supported by cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone - two on each side. In times of danger, the frilled lizard spreads its “cloak”, and the outgrowths support it, like the spokes of an umbrella, which at the same time becomes bright red or orange, due to the location large quantity blood vessels in a given skin fold. In addition, the “cloak” acts as a thermostat. If necessary, the lizard catches the sun's rays with it. Males open their cloak to attract females. mating season.

Along with maintaining the desired temperature, it is important to ensure that. This will avoid a large number of problems associated with the development of bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms. However, ventilation should be moderate to avoid heat loss and decrease in humidity levels.

Lighting: photoperiod allows you to stimulate activity, reproduction and other vital functions of reptiles. Fluorescent lamps are the cheapest lighting option. However, the frilled lizard, like other reptiles, must be equipped with lamps with a full spectrum of UVB radiation in order for the body to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D. It is recommended to use the following types lamps: Zoo-med Reptisun 10.0 UVB or . They should be placed no higher than 300 mm above the lizard, because its effectiveness decreases with distance from the animal. UV lamps must be replaced every 12 months.

In order to recreate living conditions for lizards in captivity as close to natural as possible, it is recommended to create the effect of twilight and dawn in the terrarium every day.

Humidity maintenance: The optimal humidity level in a terrarium with a frilled lizard is 50-70%. To do this, you can use a sprinkler system, or spray the terrarium once or twice a day.

Decor: the presence of thick branches and snags is important for frilled lizards, since in the wild they spend most of their time in trees and bushes. Avoid sharp edges and thin knots on placed branches so that the lizard does not accidentally damage its coat during sudden jumps. You can place several clean, smooth stones as decoration. Non-poisonous ones will also look great tropical plants with dense leaves.

In addition to animal food, a small amount of plant food, consisting of spinach, soft fruits and vegetables that grow in the habitats of these animals.

A prerequisite for the healthy functioning of the frilled lizard is the addition to food, which are contained in sufficient quantities in specially developed vitamin and mineral complexes.

The feeding frequency of adult lizards is 2-3 times a week. Young animals up to six months need to be fed every day, and then up to two years old 3-4 times a week. It is necessary to add calcium during each feeding, both for adults and young animals. Vitamins can be added 1-2 times a week.

There is one peculiarity: when feeding frilled lizards, it is necessary to separate them from their relatives in order to avoid damage to the “cloak”, which rises and falls while eating, which can lead to bites.
It is necessary to organize a drinking bowl for lizards with clean water, since they drink quite a lot, especially after meals.

Breeding in captivity

Frilled lizards become sexually mature at the age of one year. However, it is recommended to allow the female to breed no earlier than at the age of 2 years. Laying eggs takes a lot of calcium from the lizard, as well as energy, and therefore is more early age reproduction can shorten the female's life.

In the wild, the breeding season for frilled lizards is from August to December. This period should be preceded by wintering (cool, dry climate) and should be followed by a warm, wet season. During this period, it is necessary to increase the amount of calcium and protein in the lizards’ diet. After about a month of active feeding, you can observe the beginning of the mating season of these lizards. The male's courtship is expressed in the slight opening and closing of his cloak, which is accompanied by a shaking of his head. The female responds by shaking her head, cloak, and forelimb.

After successful mating, the female lays eggs in wet sand. The thickness of the soil for the clutch should be 15-20 cm. The clutch can consist of 12-18 eggs, depending on the size of the female. The weight of each egg can reach 2.4 g-4.6 g. The incubation period lasts from 54 to 92 days. It is recommended to remove the masonry from the terrarium and place it in a special container. At the same time, make sure that the eggs are not damaged. To do this, you need to remove the masonry along with the soil.

During incubation period the temperature should be 28-29 °C. When the temperature rises or falls, only females develop from eggs. After hatching, the young must be placed in a separate terrarium from their parents.

In distant Australia you can observe a very interesting picture. Enough large lizard quickly climbs a small hill, stands on hind legs and then suddenly a huge bright “collar” opens around her head, like an umbrella. She begins to angrily hiss and open her huge mouth, and then turns sharply and runs on her hind legs to the nearest tree. This whole performance was started by a frilled lizard.

You can meet it in northwestern Australia and southern New Guinea. These reptiles live in forest-steppes and dry forests. They spend most of their time in trees. It comes down to the ground only in search of food or to climb a nearby tree.

This is a fairly large lizard belonging to the agamidae family. The length of her body is approximately 80-100 centimeters, 2/3 of which is occupied by the tail (50-70 centimeters). Their color depends on the environment. Most often, the body color matches the color of fallen leaves - brown, golden, yellowish, gray, etc.

The tail occupies 2/3 of the body

The frilled lizard boasts strong limbs and sharp claws that help it move quickly through the trees.

Tenacious paws

Now let’s figure out why the lizard got its name. If you look closely at it, you can see a large leathery fold around the head and neck. In the absence of a threat, this fold is folded, but as soon as danger appears, the animal instantly opens its “collar” with jagged edges and immediately takes on a frightening appearance. It is for this huge fold, which somewhat resembles a cloak, that the lizard got its name “cloak-bearing”.

Leather fold folded Open collar

The collar opening mechanism is directly related to the opening of the mouth. The wider it is opened, the more the leathery fold will unfold. This occurs as a result of tension in the throat of a special muscle that activates the processes of the hyoid bone. When unfolded, the diameter of the resulting “umbrella” can reach 30 centimeters, in the center of which there is a huge open mouth. A terrifying picture, no doubt about it.

To be more convincing, she rises on her hind legs and raises her head and body high. If the enemy does not retreat, then she goes on the attack - she begins to attack, bite hard and deliver serious blows with her long tail. These techniques work well on snakes and dogs.

As soon as it becomes clear that the enemy is confused, the lizard quickly runs away on its hind legs into the bushes or to the nearest tree. The raised tail serves as a balance stabilizer when running.

In addition to its protective function, the open leathery collar helps regulate body temperature. In the morning, while it is cool, the lizard uses it to “catch” the sun’s rays, and when it overheats, it cools down.

Also, with its help, males attract the attention of females during the mating season. After mating, the female lays 8 to 14 eggs in a shallow hole dug in damp sand. After 10 weeks, offspring are born.

Frilled lizard eggs

They look for their food in trees or on the ground. They feed on various invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, insects and spiders. Bird eggs are their special treat.