#melanesia — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #melanesia, aggregated by home.social.
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Huge Kevin Walters call, Ivan Cleary detail
It’s official. Kevin Walters will lea…
#NewsBeep #News #NRL #AU #Australia #AustraliaandNewZealand #DailyTelegraph #England #Europe #FoxLeague #FoxSportsNews #Kangaroosteam #KevinWalters #Melanesia #menscoach #NationalRugbyLeague #NewZealand #NorthernEurope #nrl #Oceania #PapuaNewGuinea #PeterV #PictureThomas #rugbyleaguenews #showcasetournament #signsextension #sports #teamselection #ThomasLisson #two-yearextension
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/672398/ -
The world’s largest #skink 🌍🦎 is the Solomon Islands Skink, a #lizard endemic to #Melanesia 🇸🇧 They are ‘Near Threatened’ from #palmoil and other threats, help them to survive 🌴☠️⛔️ #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetectives https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7jc?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer
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From last month, some more good journalism on "#KingdomOfPapaala" on #Bougainville, probably the world's most country-like #micronation, led by financial scammer Noah Musingku:
#independence #geography #micronations #PapuaNewGuinea #politicaleconomy #Melanesia #SouthPacific #separatism @geography @geopolitics #sovereignty
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Hype for the Future 79R: Port Moresby 🇵🇬
Overview Port Moresby serves the role of the capital city of Papua New Guinea and is located on the southern side of the primary island. Directly to the north of large portions of Queensland in Australia 🇦🇺, the City of Port Moresby is one of the rare wealthier areas associated with the Global South, though the overall nation remains on the impoverished side of nations. The University of Papua New Guinea is located within the city, and the National Museum and Art Gallery and the Nature […] -
Hype for the Future 79R: Port Moresby 🇵🇬
Overview Port Moresby serves the role of the capital city of Papua New Guinea and is located on the southern side of the primary island. Directly to the north of large portions of Queensland in Australia 🇦🇺, the City of Port Moresby is one of the rare wealthier areas associated with the Global South, though the overall nation remains on the impoverished side of nations. The University of Papua New Guinea is located within the city, and the National Museum and Art Gallery and the Nature […] -
Hype for the Future 79R: Port Moresby 🇵🇬
Overview Port Moresby serves the role of the capital city of Papua New Guinea and is located on the southern side of the primary island. Directly to the north of large portions of Queensland in Australia 🇦🇺, the City of Port Moresby is one of the rare wealthier areas associated with the Global South, though the overall nation remains on the impoverished side of nations. The University of Papua New Guinea is located within the city, and the National Museum and Art Gallery and the Nature […] -
Hype for the Future 79R: Port Moresby 🇵🇬
Overview Port Moresby serves the role of the capital city of Papua New Guinea and is located on the southern side of the primary island. Directly to the north of large portions of Queensland in Australia 🇦🇺, the City of Port Moresby is one of the rare wealthier areas associated with the Global South, though the overall nation remains on the impoverished side of nations. The University of Papua New Guinea is located within the city, and the National Museum and Art Gallery and the Nature […] -
Hype for the Future 79R: Port Moresby 🇵🇬
Overview Port Moresby serves the role of the capital city of Papua New Guinea and is located on the southern side of the primary island. Directly to the north of large portions of Queensland in Australia 🇦🇺, the City of Port Moresby is one of the rare wealthier areas associated with the Global South, though the overall nation remains on the impoverished side of nations. The University of Papua New Guinea is located within the city, and the National Museum and Art Gallery and the Nature […] -
Hype for the Future 79Q: Guadalcanal 🇸🇧
Introduction The island of Guadalcanal is the principal island of the Solomon Islands, home to Honiara, the capital of the independent nation. Today, the Solomon Islands are set up so that the area of the City of Honiara is included within the Capital District rather than within Guadalcanal Province, while remaining located on the Melanesian island of Guadalcanal. Attractions Within the City of Honiara, the most notable tourist attractions include the Solomon Islands National Museum, the […] -
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Location: Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Australia
Region: Trans-Fly ecosystem of southern Papua New Guinea and West Papua along with northern parts of Australia.
The frill-necked lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii, also known as the frilled dragons or frill-neck lizards, are famous for their impressive neck frill that fans out dramatically when they feel threatened. The Trans-Fly savannahs of southern Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua, have come increasingly under threat over the past decade by climate change-related extreme weather and deforestation. Anthropogenic threats include habitat destruction for timber and palm oil, climate change-related fires, expanding agricultural zones, road and infrastructure building and capture for the exotic pet trade. In Australia, these lizards eat poisonous cane toads that are deadly once ingested. This along with large-scale bushfires pose threats to Frill-necked #Lizards. Once abundant, these striking reptiles are now losing their ecosystems. Use your wallet as a weapon for them by defending New Guinea’s forests. Choose palm oil-free products and boycott the pet trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Frilled-Neck #Lizard 🦎💚 is an icon of #Australia 🇦🇺. Their #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 and #WestPapua populations are under threat from #deforestation 🌴🩸⛔️ along with #ClimateChange. Protect their home and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterWith their dramatic frilled necks 🦎😻✨ and ability to run on two legs, Frilled-Neck #Lizards are arguably the most spectacular lizards in all of #Melanesia 🇵🇬 Help protect their #NewGuinea population #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to Twitterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a44j267-nxE
Appearance & Behaviour
With their iconic neck frill, long limbs and ability to sprint upright on two legs, frill-necked lizards are one of the most distinctive reptiles in the world. New Guinean individuals typically feature vivid yellow frills that flare outward like a sunburst when they feel threatened—often accompanied by a hiss and an open mouth to appear larger than life. Their frill can reach up to 30 cm across, supported by hyoid bones and cartilage that fan the skin out in a flash. Colouration is variable, and in New Guinea, these lizards lean towards paler hues with distinctive white markings accenting their yellow frills.
Primarily arboreal, they spend over 90% of their time in the trees. They are solitary, territorial, and highly dependent on their frill to communicate and intimidate. During the wet season, they descend closer to the ground in search of food, only to retreat to the higher canopy during the dry months when food is scarce.
Threats
- Deforestation for palm oil plantations is rapidly fragmenting their native woodlands in the Trans-Fly region of West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
- Illegal capture for the pet trade—many specimens claimed to be ‘captive bred’ are actually wild-caught in Papua New Guinea.
- Late dry season fires increase mortality rates and reduce food availability.
- Predation by feral cats is an ongoing issue in some parts of their range.
- Climate change related extreme weather may impact their reproduction, as temperature influences sex ratios and growth rates.
Geographic Range
This species is found in northern Australia and across southern New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua. In New Guinea, they inhabit the Trans-Fly savannah region—a unique landscape of seasonal woodlands and dry forests. These lizards avoid low-lying Melaleuca-dominated swamps and prefer elevated areas with well-drained soils and diverse tree species. However, their range in New Guinea is far more restricted than in Australia, making local threats far more significant to their survival.
Diet
Frill-necked lizards are insectivorous ambush predators. They rely on their sharp eyesight and camouflage to spot prey from high in the trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects like termites, cicadas, beetles, ants, and centipedes. During the dry season, termites are especially important, while the wet season sees them shifting to moth larvae. Occasionally, they will consume spiders, small rodents, and other lizards.
Mating and Reproduction
Mating occurs during the late dry and early wet seasons. Males engage in dramatic frill displays and combat to win over females. Females dig a shallow burrow where they lay 1–2 clutches of 4–20 eggs. Temperature plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings—warmer nests produce more males, while cooler ones yield more females. Young frillies are independent within 10 days of hatching and can deploy their frills almost immediately.
FAQs
How many Frill-necked lizards are left in New Guinea?
There is no precise population estimate for New Guinea, but while the species is locally common in parts of Australia, their populations in the Trans-Fly region are under pressure. Their limited range, coupled with the impacts of deforestation and trade, may mean local declines are already occurring.
How long do Frill-necked lizards live in the wild?
Frill-necked lizards in the wild can live up to 6 years for males and around 4 years for females. Hatchlings grow rapidly during the wet season and reach sexual maturity by about two years of age.
Do Frill-necked lizards make good pets?
Absolutely not. These sensitive reptiles are wild animals with complex needs. They are difficult to breed in captivity, meaning many sold in pet markets are likely wild-caught, contributing directly to population declines. Keeping them as pets fuels this harmful trade and leads to suffering. If you care about frill-necked lizards, do not support the exotic pet industry.
Take Action!
Support local and indigenous-led resistance to palm oil deforestation in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Boycott palm oil products entirely—there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it causes deforestation. Say no to the exotic pet trade, which is stripping these unique lizards from the wild and pushing them towards decline. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Support Frill-Necked Lizards by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
O’Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.
Harlow, P. S., & Shine, R. (1999). Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: insights from frillneck lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(3), 197–211. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3893081
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Frilled lizard. Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_lizard
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
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Join 3,178 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
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Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingSunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus
Keep readingWestern Parotia Parotia sefilata
Keep readingCapped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus
Keep readingMountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque
Keep reading Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Australia #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #bushfires #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #fires #ForgottenAnimals #FrillNeckedLizardChlamydosaurusKingii #hunting #illegalPetTrade #insectivore #lizard #lizards #Melanesia #NewGuinea #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #petTrade #poaching #Reptile #reptiles #timber #WestPapua #WestPapua -
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Location: Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Australia
Region: Trans-Fly ecosystem of southern Papua New Guinea and West Papua along with northern parts of Australia.
The frill-necked lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii, also known as the frilled dragons or frill-neck lizards, are famous for their impressive neck frill that fans out dramatically when they feel threatened. The Trans-Fly savannahs of southern Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua, have come increasingly under threat over the past decade by climate change-related extreme weather and deforestation. Anthropogenic threats include habitat destruction for timber and palm oil, climate change-related fires, expanding agricultural zones, road and infrastructure building and capture for the exotic pet trade. In Australia, these lizards eat poisonous cane toads that are deadly once ingested. This along with large-scale bushfires pose threats to Frill-necked #Lizards. Once abundant, these striking reptiles are now losing their ecosystems. Use your wallet as a weapon for them by defending New Guinea’s forests. Choose palm oil-free products and boycott the pet trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Frilled-Neck #Lizard 🦎💚 is an icon of #Australia 🇦🇺. Their #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 and #WestPapua populations are under threat from #deforestation 🌴🩸⛔️ along with #ClimateChange. Protect their home and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterWith their dramatic frilled necks 🦎😻✨ and ability to run on two legs, Frilled-Neck #Lizards are arguably the most spectacular lizards in all of #Melanesia 🇵🇬 Help protect their #NewGuinea population #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to Twitterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a44j267-nxE
Appearance & Behaviour
With their iconic neck frill, long limbs and ability to sprint upright on two legs, frill-necked lizards are one of the most distinctive reptiles in the world. New Guinean individuals typically feature vivid yellow frills that flare outward like a sunburst when they feel threatened—often accompanied by a hiss and an open mouth to appear larger than life. Their frill can reach up to 30 cm across, supported by hyoid bones and cartilage that fan the skin out in a flash. Colouration is variable, and in New Guinea, these lizards lean towards paler hues with distinctive white markings accenting their yellow frills.
Primarily arboreal, they spend over 90% of their time in the trees. They are solitary, territorial, and highly dependent on their frill to communicate and intimidate. During the wet season, they descend closer to the ground in search of food, only to retreat to the higher canopy during the dry months when food is scarce.
Threats
- Deforestation for palm oil plantations is rapidly fragmenting their native woodlands in the Trans-Fly region of West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
- Illegal capture for the pet trade—many specimens claimed to be ‘captive bred’ are actually wild-caught in Papua New Guinea.
- Late dry season fires increase mortality rates and reduce food availability.
- Predation by feral cats is an ongoing issue in some parts of their range.
- Climate change related extreme weather may impact their reproduction, as temperature influences sex ratios and growth rates.
Geographic Range
This species is found in northern Australia and across southern New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua. In New Guinea, they inhabit the Trans-Fly savannah region—a unique landscape of seasonal woodlands and dry forests. These lizards avoid low-lying Melaleuca-dominated swamps and prefer elevated areas with well-drained soils and diverse tree species. However, their range in New Guinea is far more restricted than in Australia, making local threats far more significant to their survival.
Diet
Frill-necked lizards are insectivorous ambush predators. They rely on their sharp eyesight and camouflage to spot prey from high in the trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects like termites, cicadas, beetles, ants, and centipedes. During the dry season, termites are especially important, while the wet season sees them shifting to moth larvae. Occasionally, they will consume spiders, small rodents, and other lizards.
Mating and Reproduction
Mating occurs during the late dry and early wet seasons. Males engage in dramatic frill displays and combat to win over females. Females dig a shallow burrow where they lay 1–2 clutches of 4–20 eggs. Temperature plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings—warmer nests produce more males, while cooler ones yield more females. Young frillies are independent within 10 days of hatching and can deploy their frills almost immediately.
FAQs
How many Frill-necked lizards are left in New Guinea?
There is no precise population estimate for New Guinea, but while the species is locally common in parts of Australia, their populations in the Trans-Fly region are under pressure. Their limited range, coupled with the impacts of deforestation and trade, may mean local declines are already occurring.
How long do Frill-necked lizards live in the wild?
Frill-necked lizards in the wild can live up to 6 years for males and around 4 years for females. Hatchlings grow rapidly during the wet season and reach sexual maturity by about two years of age.
Do Frill-necked lizards make good pets?
Absolutely not. These sensitive reptiles are wild animals with complex needs. They are difficult to breed in captivity, meaning many sold in pet markets are likely wild-caught, contributing directly to population declines. Keeping them as pets fuels this harmful trade and leads to suffering. If you care about frill-necked lizards, do not support the exotic pet industry.
Take Action!
Support local and indigenous-led resistance to palm oil deforestation in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Boycott palm oil products entirely—there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it causes deforestation. Say no to the exotic pet trade, which is stripping these unique lizards from the wild and pushing them towards decline. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Support Frill-Necked Lizards by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
O’Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.
Harlow, P. S., & Shine, R. (1999). Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: insights from frillneck lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(3), 197–211. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3893081
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Frilled lizard. Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_lizard
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
✓ Subscribed
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more#animals #Australia #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #bushfires #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #fires #ForgottenAnimals #FrillNeckedLizardChlamydosaurusKingii #hunting #illegalPetTrade #insectivore #lizard #lizards #Melanesia #NewGuinea #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #petTrade #poaching #Reptile #reptiles #timber #WestPapua #WestPapua
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Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Location: Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Australia
Region: Trans-Fly ecosystem of southern Papua New Guinea and West Papua along with northern parts of Australia.
The frill-necked lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii, also known as the frilled dragons or frill-neck lizards, are famous for their impressive neck frill that fans out dramatically when they feel threatened. The Trans-Fly savannahs of southern Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua, have come increasingly under threat over the past decade by climate change-related extreme weather and deforestation. Anthropogenic threats include habitat destruction for timber and palm oil, climate change-related fires, expanding agricultural zones, road and infrastructure building and capture for the exotic pet trade. In Australia, these lizards eat poisonous cane toads that are deadly once ingested. This along with large-scale bushfires pose threats to Frill-necked #Lizards. Once abundant, these striking reptiles are now losing their ecosystems. Use your wallet as a weapon for them by defending New Guinea’s forests. Choose palm oil-free products and boycott the pet trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Frilled-Neck #Lizard 🦎💚 is an icon of #Australia 🇦🇺. Their #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 and #WestPapua populations are under threat from #deforestation 🌴🩸⛔️ along with #ClimateChange. Protect their home and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterWith their dramatic frilled necks 🦎😻✨ and ability to run on two legs, Frilled-Neck #Lizards are arguably the most spectacular lizards in all of #Melanesia 🇵🇬 Help protect their #NewGuinea population #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to Twitterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a44j267-nxE
Appearance & Behaviour
With their iconic neck frill, long limbs and ability to sprint upright on two legs, frill-necked lizards are one of the most distinctive reptiles in the world. New Guinean individuals typically feature vivid yellow frills that flare outward like a sunburst when they feel threatened—often accompanied by a hiss and an open mouth to appear larger than life. Their frill can reach up to 30 cm across, supported by hyoid bones and cartilage that fan the skin out in a flash. Colouration is variable, and in New Guinea, these lizards lean towards paler hues with distinctive white markings accenting their yellow frills.
Primarily arboreal, they spend over 90% of their time in the trees. They are solitary, territorial, and highly dependent on their frill to communicate and intimidate. During the wet season, they descend closer to the ground in search of food, only to retreat to the higher canopy during the dry months when food is scarce.
Threats
- Deforestation for palm oil plantations is rapidly fragmenting their native woodlands in the Trans-Fly region of West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
- Illegal capture for the pet trade—many specimens claimed to be ‘captive bred’ are actually wild-caught in Papua New Guinea.
- Late dry season fires increase mortality rates and reduce food availability.
- Predation by feral cats is an ongoing issue in some parts of their range.
- Climate change related extreme weather may impact their reproduction, as temperature influences sex ratios and growth rates.
Geographic Range
This species is found in northern Australia and across southern New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua. In New Guinea, they inhabit the Trans-Fly savannah region—a unique landscape of seasonal woodlands and dry forests. These lizards avoid low-lying Melaleuca-dominated swamps and prefer elevated areas with well-drained soils and diverse tree species. However, their range in New Guinea is far more restricted than in Australia, making local threats far more significant to their survival.
Diet
Frill-necked lizards are insectivorous ambush predators. They rely on their sharp eyesight and camouflage to spot prey from high in the trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects like termites, cicadas, beetles, ants, and centipedes. During the dry season, termites are especially important, while the wet season sees them shifting to moth larvae. Occasionally, they will consume spiders, small rodents, and other lizards.
Mating and Reproduction
Mating occurs during the late dry and early wet seasons. Males engage in dramatic frill displays and combat to win over females. Females dig a shallow burrow where they lay 1–2 clutches of 4–20 eggs. Temperature plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings—warmer nests produce more males, while cooler ones yield more females. Young frillies are independent within 10 days of hatching and can deploy their frills almost immediately.
FAQs
How many Frill-necked lizards are left in New Guinea?
There is no precise population estimate for New Guinea, but while the species is locally common in parts of Australia, their populations in the Trans-Fly region are under pressure. Their limited range, coupled with the impacts of deforestation and trade, may mean local declines are already occurring.
How long do Frill-necked lizards live in the wild?
Frill-necked lizards in the wild can live up to 6 years for males and around 4 years for females. Hatchlings grow rapidly during the wet season and reach sexual maturity by about two years of age.
Do Frill-necked lizards make good pets?
Absolutely not. These sensitive reptiles are wild animals with complex needs. They are difficult to breed in captivity, meaning many sold in pet markets are likely wild-caught, contributing directly to population declines. Keeping them as pets fuels this harmful trade and leads to suffering. If you care about frill-necked lizards, do not support the exotic pet industry.
Take Action!
Support local and indigenous-led resistance to palm oil deforestation in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Boycott palm oil products entirely—there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it causes deforestation. Say no to the exotic pet trade, which is stripping these unique lizards from the wild and pushing them towards decline. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Support Frill-Necked Lizards by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
O’Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.
Harlow, P. S., & Shine, R. (1999). Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: insights from frillneck lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(3), 197–211. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3893081
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Frilled lizard. Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_lizard
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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGGrey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum
Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense
Blue-streaked Lory Eos reticulata
Blonde Capuchin Sapajus flavius
Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei
Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more#animals #Australia #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #bushfires #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #fires #ForgottenAnimals #FrillNeckedLizardChlamydosaurusKingii #hunting #illegalPetTrade #insectivore #lizard #lizards #Melanesia #NewGuinea #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #petTrade #poaching #Reptile #reptiles #timber #WestPapua #WestPapua
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It was great to present my work on fatalism and climate action in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, in a session on "Emotions in the transition to a no-carbon society" at the Global Tipping Points conference @uniexeter.
I talked about high levels of fatalism - beliefs that the future is predetermined and that human agency is pontless - in Bougainville, how this already reduces climate action, and wonder how this could be a barrier to harnessing potential positive tipping points in populations truly left behind.
Here are my slides 👉https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NIEhEWA2IC-4V2FC2ybCLFBmnbcO0ta4p-nhiiTOaIc/edit?usp=sharing
I also learned from @laurafoggrogers the importance of triggering positive emotions to fully engage the population at large, while Genevieve Guenther @doctorvive proposes a very interesting paradigm combining fear, outrage and desire, drawn from her book "The language of climate politics". I think everyone agrees that one size-fits-all type of communication is not optimal and that tailoring the message to the recipient is very important.
#DrJohnRowlatt discussed about how to best engage the UK population, and elderly people in particular, to switch to low-carbon heating systems. @larasningrum_dianty talked about the potential for narratives of hope in low-income countries and in general.
I look forward to continuing this discussion. 🙏 co-panelists & attendants.
#ClimateChange #ClimateAdaptation #Fatalism #Bougainville #PapuaNewGuinea #Melanesia #Research #FieldResearch
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Some recent reporting on the "Kingdom of #Papaala", enigmatic realm of a notorious financial scammer that's become something between a #micronation and a #defacto state. https://harpers.org/archive/2024/11/the-island-king-sean-williams-bougainville/
#Bougainville #PNG #Melanesia #defactostates #micronations #geography #independence #oceania @geography @geopolitics #nationalism #scams
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The #Austronesian, or #OutOfTaiwan, theory is the most plausible and widely accepted theory of how #SouthEastAsia islands, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, & #Madagascar were inhabited. The Philippine #DepEd needs to update school textbooks, & stop pushing the #Malay theory.
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The #Austronesian, or #OutOfTaiwan, theory is the most plausible and widely accepted theory of how #SouthEastAsia islands, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, & #Madagascar were inhabited. The Philippine #DepEd needs to update school textbooks, & stop pushing the #Malay theory.
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The #Austronesian, or #OutOfTaiwan, theory is the most plausible and widely accepted theory of how #SouthEastAsia islands, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, & #Madagascar were inhabited. The Philippine #DepEd needs to update school textbooks, & stop pushing the #Malay theory.
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The #Austronesian, or #OutOfTaiwan, theory is the most plausible and widely accepted theory of how #SouthEastAsia islands, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, & #Madagascar were inhabited. The Philippine #DepEd needs to update school textbooks, & stop pushing the #Malay theory.
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The #Austronesian, or #OutOfTaiwan, theory is the most plausible and widely accepted theory of how #SouthEastAsia islands, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, & #Madagascar were inhabited. The Philippine #DepEd needs to update school textbooks, & stop pushing the #Malay theory.
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Haven't found many West Papuans or Free West Papuan accounts on here yet, so rather than a starter pack have made a feed with some hashtags. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. #freewestpapua #westpapua #papuamerdeka #indonesia #melanesia #pasifika #genocide
RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vkrztu3fg4cipgwdv3m3stlm/feed/aaadhsv5gxpma -
The most accepted theory about migrations in Southern and Eastern #AsiaPacific is #Austronesian.
From #Taiwan, to the #Philippines, and then the rest of #SouthEastAsia, #Micronesia, #Melanesia, #Polynesia, and as far as #Madagascar.
If I'm going to interpret this, the natives of Taiwan survived as the primary people in what we know today as the Philippine archipelago. From the Philippines, they spread everywhere.
In other words, they're all #Filipino! ᜑᜑᜑᜑ 😹 (Or, native Taiwanese to be exact.)
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Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chronological_dispersal_of_Austronesian_people_across_the_Pacific.svg
Licensed under #CCBySA 4.0 by Pavljenko.
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https://archive.org/details/for-kanak-independence
For Kanak independence: The fight against French rule in New Caledonia by Susanna Ounei
Topics
#Kanaky, #anticolonialism, #antiimperialism, #frenchimperialism, #frenchcolonialism, #Melanesia, #selfdetermination, #independence, #Kanakpeople, #FLNKS, #FrontdeLibérationNationaleKanaketSocialiste, #antiblackness, #nationalliberation, #KanakSocialistNationalLiberationFront"Since 1984, the struggle of the Kanak people against French colonial rule in New Caledonia has consistently attracted world headlines. It has become a symbol of the new awakening of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific against more than 100 years of imperialist domination.
In the English-speaking Pacific and beyond, however, very little is known of the history of the Kanak anti-colonial struggle or the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), which is leading the independence fight today.
In this pamphlet, Susanna Ounei, the official representative in New Zealand of the FLNKS who has been active in the national liberation struggle since 1969, backgrounds the situation in New Caledonia today and outlines the goals of the FLNKS. Also included is the founding charter of the FLNKS."
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https://archive.org/details/pacific-languages-in-education
Pacific Languages in Education by France Mugler; John Lynch; Kasi Ielemia; Konai Helu Thaman; Greg R. Abare; Vilisi Balawa; Byron Bender; Richard A. Benton; Alfred Capelle; Terry Crowley; Vāvāō Fetui; Pamela Gentry; Apolonia Tamata; Ernest W. Lee; Sam Drilë Léonard; Iris Bella Lui; Afamasaga Mālia Mālaki-Williams; Vincent B. Manukayasi; Jeff Siegel; Mary L. Spencer; Winston Pukoki
Topics
#Micronesia, #Micronesianlanguages, #linguistics, #sociolinguistics, #Kanaky, #Kanaklanguages, #Marshallese, #MarshallIslands, #Ebon, #KajinM̧ajeļ, #Fiji, #Fijian, #NavosavakaViti, #Niuean, #koevagahauNiuē, #Niue, #Tonga, #Tongan, #LeaFakaTonga, #CookIslandsMāori, #Māori, #PapuaNewGuinea, #Papuanlanguages, #Melanesia, #MelanesianPidgin, #OntongJava, #Luangiua, #SolomonIslandsPijin, #Pijin, #tereoMāori, #Aotearoa, #Samoan, #Samoa, #GaganafaaSāmoa, #Bislama, #Vanuatu, #ReoMāohi, #Tahitian, #Kahiki -
https://archive.org/details/pacific-languages-in-education
Pacific Languages in Education by France Mugler; John Lynch; Kasi Ielemia; Konai Helu Thaman; Greg R. Abare; Vilisi Balawa; Byron Bender; Richard A. Benton; Alfred Capelle; Terry Crowley; Vāvāō Fetui; Pamela Gentry; Apolonia Tamata; Ernest W. Lee; Sam Drilë Léonard; Iris Bella Lui; Afamasaga Mālia Mālaki-Williams; Vincent B. Manukayasi; Jeff Siegel; Mary L. Spencer; Winston Pukoki
Topics
#Micronesia, #Micronesianlanguages, #linguistics, #sociolinguistics, #Kanaky, #Kanaklanguages, #Marshallese, #MarshallIslands, #Ebon, #KajinM̧ajeļ, #Fiji, #Fijian, #NavosavakaViti, #Niuean, #koevagahauNiuē, #Niue, #Tonga, #Tongan, #LeaFakaTonga, #CookIslandsMāori, #Māori, #PapuaNewGuinea, #Papuanlanguages, #Melanesia, #MelanesianPidgin, #OntongJava, #Luangiua, #SolomonIslandsPijin, #Pijin, #tereoMāori, #Aotearoa, #Samoan, #Samoa, #GaganafaaSāmoa, #Bislama, #Vanuatu, #ReoMāohi, #Tahitian, #Kahiki -
https://archive.org/details/pacific-languages-in-education
Pacific Languages in Education by France Mugler; John Lynch; Kasi Ielemia; Konai Helu Thaman; Greg R. Abare; Vilisi Balawa; Byron Bender; Richard A. Benton; Alfred Capelle; Terry Crowley; Vāvāō Fetui; Pamela Gentry; Apolonia Tamata; Ernest W. Lee; Sam Drilë Léonard; Iris Bella Lui; Afamasaga Mālia Mālaki-Williams; Vincent B. Manukayasi; Jeff Siegel; Mary L. Spencer; Winston Pukoki
Topics
#Micronesia, #Micronesianlanguages, #linguistics, #sociolinguistics, #Kanaky, #Kanaklanguages, #Marshallese, #MarshallIslands, #Ebon, #KajinM̧ajeļ, #Fiji, #Fijian, #NavosavakaViti, #Niuean, #koevagahauNiuē, #Niue, #Tonga, #Tongan, #LeaFakaTonga, #CookIslandsMāori, #Māori, #PapuaNewGuinea, #Papuanlanguages, #Melanesia, #MelanesianPidgin, #OntongJava, #Luangiua, #SolomonIslandsPijin, #Pijin, #tereoMāori, #Aotearoa, #Samoan, #Samoa, #GaganafaaSāmoa, #Bislama, #Vanuatu, #ReoMāohi, #Tahitian, #Kahiki -
https://archive.org/details/pacific-languages-in-education
Pacific Languages in Education by France Mugler; John Lynch; Kasi Ielemia; Konai Helu Thaman; Greg R. Abare; Vilisi Balawa; Byron Bender; Richard A. Benton; Alfred Capelle; Terry Crowley; Vāvāō Fetui; Pamela Gentry; Apolonia Tamata; Ernest W. Lee; Sam Drilë Léonard; Iris Bella Lui; Afamasaga Mālia Mālaki-Williams; Vincent B. Manukayasi; Jeff Siegel; Mary L. Spencer; Winston Pukoki
Topics
#Micronesia, #Micronesianlanguages, #linguistics, #sociolinguistics, #Kanaky, #Kanaklanguages, #Marshallese, #MarshallIslands, #Ebon, #KajinM̧ajeļ, #Fiji, #Fijian, #NavosavakaViti, #Niuean, #koevagahauNiuē, #Niue, #Tonga, #Tongan, #LeaFakaTonga, #CookIslandsMāori, #Māori, #PapuaNewGuinea, #Papuanlanguages, #Melanesia, #MelanesianPidgin, #OntongJava, #Luangiua, #SolomonIslandsPijin, #Pijin, #tereoMāori, #Aotearoa, #Samoan, #Samoa, #GaganafaaSāmoa, #Bislama, #Vanuatu, #ReoMāohi, #Tahitian, #Kahiki -
https://archive.org/details/pacific-languages-in-education
Pacific Languages in Education by France Mugler; John Lynch; Kasi Ielemia; Konai Helu Thaman; Greg R. Abare; Vilisi Balawa; Byron Bender; Richard A. Benton; Alfred Capelle; Terry Crowley; Vāvāō Fetui; Pamela Gentry; Apolonia Tamata; Ernest W. Lee; Sam Drilë Léonard; Iris Bella Lui; Afamasaga Mālia Mālaki-Williams; Vincent B. Manukayasi; Jeff Siegel; Mary L. Spencer; Winston Pukoki
Topics
#Micronesia, #Micronesianlanguages, #linguistics, #sociolinguistics, #Kanaky, #Kanaklanguages, #Marshallese, #MarshallIslands, #Ebon, #KajinM̧ajeļ, #Fiji, #Fijian, #NavosavakaViti, #Niuean, #koevagahauNiuē, #Niue, #Tonga, #Tongan, #LeaFakaTonga, #CookIslandsMāori, #Māori, #PapuaNewGuinea, #Papuanlanguages, #Melanesia, #MelanesianPidgin, #OntongJava, #Luangiua, #SolomonIslandsPijin, #Pijin, #tereoMāori, #Aotearoa, #Samoan, #Samoa, #GaganafaaSāmoa, #Bislama, #Vanuatu, #ReoMāohi, #Tahitian, #Kahiki -
If you don't know much about West Papua or its Melanesian people, who have been fighting for independence from Indonesia since the 1960s, this interview with President Benny Wenda is an excellent place to start.
https://jacobin.com/2022/12/benny-wenda-west-papua-freedom-struggle-indonesia-imperialism
https://www.freewestpapua.org/
#FreeWestPapua #Indonesia #Melanesia #PapuaMerdeka @freewestpapua
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If you don't know much about West Papua or its Melanesian people, who have been fighting for independence from Indonesia since the 1960s, this interview with President Benny Wenda is an excellent place to start.
https://jacobin.com/2022/12/benny-wenda-west-papua-freedom-struggle-indonesia-imperialism
https://www.freewestpapua.org/
#FreeWestPapua #Indonesia #Melanesia #PapuaMerdeka @freewestpapua
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https://archive.org/details/exile2p
Exile to Paradise: Savagery and Civilization in Paris and the South Pacific, 1790-1900 by Alice Bullard
Topics
#Kanak, #Kanaky, #genocide, #france, #frenchrevolution, #pariscommune, #newcaledonia, #colonization, #indigenouspeoples, #antiblackness, #southpacific, #exile, #whitesupremacy, #Melanesia, #history, #frenchimperialism, #frenchcolonialism, #thirdrepublic, #communards, #colonizers, #war, #paris, #savagery, #penalcolony, #penalcolonies, #MelanesiansAccording to the poet Victor Hugo, the year 1870/71 was France's année terrible. The country suffered a humiliating defeat by the Prussian military, and Parisians endured a cruel siege. In the wake of the siege, Paris exploded and revolutionaries proclaimed the birth of the Paris Commune.
The conservative government of the young Third Republic portrayed the Communards as savage destroyers of civilization. The Communards were depicted as plagued by original sin, the evil nature of fallen man, and atavistic degeneration.
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https://archive.org/details/passage-port-and-plantation
Passage, Port and Plantation: A History of Solomon Islands Labour Migration, 1870-1914 by Peter Corris
Topics
#SolomonIslands, #queensland, #PacificIslands, #Fiji, #Samoa, #Melanesia, #Melanesians, #britishimperialism, #australianimperialism, #indenturedservitude, #slavery, #britain, #australia, #Oceania, #antiblacknessmore than 30,000 Solomon Islanders were used by colonizers to build australia and Pacific Island colonies.
