The frilled lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii, is a recognizable reptile native to the tropical woodlands and savannahs of Northern Australia and Southern New Guinea. It is instantly identifiable by the large, pleated ruff of skin around its neck, which typically lies folded against its body. This arboreal species spends the majority of its time in trees, only occasionally descending to the ground to hunt or relocate. The lizard is also famous for its ability to run upright on its powerful hind legs, a bipedal movement used for quick bursts of speed.
The Natural Diet in the Wild
The frilled lizard is primarily an arboreal insectivore, meaning its wild diet is dominated by arthropods found both in the trees and on the ground. The food consumed is largely made up of insects, including large quantities of termites and ants, which are significant food sources during the dry season. Common prey items include beetles, spiders, cicadas, and grasshoppers. The specific composition of the diet shifts seasonally, with moth larvae becoming more important during the wet season when they are more abundant.
While insects form the staple, Chlamydosaurus kingii is an opportunistic predator that occasionally consumes small vertebrates. These rare additions can include smaller lizards, small mammals, or eggs. The lizard’s preference for insects is tied to its arboreal lifestyle and reliance on finding prey within its territory. This feeding strategy ensures the lizard receives the protein and fats necessary to sustain its active, diurnal lifestyle.
Foraging Habits and Hunting Strategy
Frilled lizards employ an ambush predation, or “sit-and-wait,” hunting strategy to secure their meals. They remain motionless on a tree trunk or branch, relying on cryptic coloration to blend into the bark while observing the area. Once prey is sighted, the lizard quickly descends the tree, often using its bipedal run to cover ground rapidly toward the target. Sprinting on two legs, using its long tail for balance, allows for faster pursuit than typical quadrupedal movement.
The final capture involves a rapid, targeted strike, catching the prey item before it can react. The powerful jaws and quick reflexes are well-suited for subduing insects and small vertebrates. While the frill is most often associated with startling predators, it may serve a secondary purpose during feeding by herding quick-moving insects toward the mouth. After a successful capture, the lizard retreats back up a tree to safely consume its meal.
Meeting Nutritional Needs in Captivity
Translating the wild diet into a successful captive care regimen requires focusing on high-quality, diverse live insects. Appropriate feeder insects, such as crickets, dubia roaches, and silkworms, should form the bulk of the captive diet. Fattier insects like superworms and hornworms should be offered sparingly as treats to prevent nutritional imbalances. Offering a variety of prey stimulates the lizard’s natural hunting instincts and ensures a broader spectrum of nutrients.
To maximize nutritional value, feeder insects must be “gut-loaded” before being offered to the lizard. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects a nutritious diet of fresh vegetables and commercial feed for at least 12 to 24 hours prior to feeding. Additionally, all feeder insects must be dusted several times a week with a high-quality calcium supplement, often with added Vitamin D3. This powdered supplement is ingested by the lizard and is important for preventing Metabolic Bone Disease.
Hydration must be managed carefully, as frilled lizards prefer not to drink from standing water dishes. Daily misting of the enclosure is recommended, as these lizards are adapted to drink water droplets that accumulate on surfaces. Providing a large enclosure with ample vertical space and climbing branches allows the lizard to exhibit its natural arboreal and hunting behaviors.