Anyone ever had a Frilled Dragon?

[Warrix642]

I have had a ton of different lizards but never a Frilled Dragon. Anyone here ever had one? How are they as pets?

 

[Lizardlover]

Ive had some in the past, I would compare them to beardies....very nice and can have a great temperment if handled.

 

[Rhino]

I agree. They are excellent lizards just like beardies. All of mine have had great temperments and enjoy spending time outside.

 

[jojackson]

In their cages though, they are boring! They sit their well fed, under light stimulated, and hide behind branches at human movement.
They really love the sun though! They dont 'flareup' like like they do, very much in captivity, if they do, something is wrong, usually another male nearby. But most of the time the flaps are relaxed and fall along side its body and help breakup its outline against the tree, aiding in camouflague.
Pretty cool lizards in the wild though, you see all the natural behaviours, and if you catch them on open ground, they bolt for nearest tree on hind legs, and they are really fast!

 

[Zen Reptiles]

I've got a 1 year old male. He's awesome.

They do go through a hibernation/brumation period though for a few months in the winter.

You don't have to do it, but don't be alarmed if they refuse food for a few months.

Like everyone else's experiences, mine is very tame, handleable, really enjoys being
outside, and rarely flares up - I've seen him do it twice when I scared him outside lol.

They make a great pet though and will sit on your shoulder all day if that's what you're
looking for. Every frillie I've seen is docile like that, they're smart too.

 

[royden]

I had the privilage of photographing the rare australian frilled this year, and let me tell you that is one impressive lizard. His frill was the size of a large dinner plate when he displayed. One of my favorite photo shoots I've had in a while. Too bad they start around $1500 each.

 

[Warrix642]

I had the privilage of photographing the rare australian frilled this year, and let me tell you that is one impressive lizard. His frill was the size of a large dinner plate when he displayed. One of my favorite photo shoots I've had in a while. Too bad they start around $1500 each.

I can get them for $150 each and they look very healthy.

 

[royden]

I just looked it up and now I'm confused. I always thought there were two species under the Chlamydosaurus genus. Anyone else know? I thought there was a northern Australia and southern New Guinea species.

 

[jojackson]

The lizard is found in southern New Guinea, as well as in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and across northern Australia.

Chlamydosaurus kingii in OZ

http://apt.allenpress.com/perlserv/.../0045-8511(1999)999[1089:DAHROT]2.3.CO;2&ct=1

Unless taxon has changed there is only one species 'kingii'. These days everybody wants to give different localities of the same species their own species or subspecies, often based on behaviours rather than any dna evidence.

Only one species of Chlamydosaurus is currently recognized, but the color differences between the Queensland populations and the Western Australia-Northern Territory populations have given many scientists a reason to believe that there may be two separate species (Greer, 1989).

 

[Breeze]

Can't they run away when they are outside?

 

[Zen Reptiles]

Many frilleds in captivity come from farms in Indonesia. They are the New Guinea locale.

Which ARE much smaller than the Australians, very noticeable size difference,
and the Australians have orange/yellow/red in their frills and some of their body.

Australia also does not export any animals and they haven't for decades,
so that is the reason for the 1500$ price difference lol.

 

[royden]

Thanks Brock. I was about to rush out and buy a new guinea frilled if there was no difference! That Australian was impressive.

 

[Warrix642]

Well I must have seen a smaller one...