Dragons (Agamidae family of Lizards)
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The Agamid family forms part of the Lizard sub-order (Sauria). There are over 350 species in the Agamid family, usually known as Dragons or old-world iguanids, and around 65 of these species occur in Australia (Swan, 2002).
Agamids have well developed limbs and can move quickly. They are widespread throughout the world with the notable exception of Madagascar (Heying, 2003). If you are expecting to find the Komodo Dragon here, it is in fact not a Dragon at all and can be found in the Monitor Lizard family (Family: Varanidae).
Of the 350-plus species of the Agamidae family, so far details on 13 species are included below.
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There are approximately 52 genera in the Agamidae family including: Lashtails (Amphibolurus), Mulga Lizard (Caimanops), Chameleon Dragons (Chelosania), Frilled Lizards (Chlamydosaurus), Gravel Dragon (Cryptagama), Crevice Dragons (Ctenophorus), Two-line Dragons (Diporiphora), Forest Dragons (Hypsilurus), Thorny Devil (Moloch), Water Dragons (Physignathus and Lophognathus), Bearded Dragons (Pogona), and Earless Dragons (Tympanocryptis).
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BOYD'S FOREST DRAGON
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|  | Hypsilurus boydii
| Boyd's Forest Dragon is generally found in the rainforest's of north-eastern Queensland. Living in relatively darker forest environments, this Dragon has lesser heat requirements than most Agamids, using camouflage rather than speed as a defense mechanism.
This species eats mostly invertebrates and grows to around 30cm (12in) in length and is characterized by its wedge-shaped head and nuchal crest.
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Image: David Warwick (Sydney Wildlife World - Feb 2007)
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CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON (INLAND BEARDED DRAGON)
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| | Pogona vitticeps
| Of the 8 recognized species of bearded dragons, the Central or Inland Bearded Dragon is the most common in the pet trade and therefore generally the species most commonly identified with the common name 'Bearded Dragon'.
Living in a large area of central Australia, north of Adelaide, this species grows to around 40cm (16in) in length and is a heavily built lizard characterized by its 'beard', cone-shaped scales and spines on its head.
STATUS: COMMON
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Image: David Warwick (Australian Museum Sydney - May 2005)
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CENTRAL NETTED DRAGON
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| | Ctenophorus nuchalis
| The Central Netted Dragon lives in central and western Australia in hot, dry and sandy areas, favouring heavy reddish sandy soils. The lizard burrows in sloping ground at the base of vegetation and may plug the burrow with soil during Winter periods of innactivity.
Central Netted Dragons have a short lifespan of two to three years and females may lay as many as three clutches of eggs each breeding season, each with up to six eggs.
STATUS: SECURE
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2004)
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CHAMELEON DRAGON
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| | Chelosania brunnea
| The Chameleon Dragon can be found in Northern Australia. Its name comes from its chameleon like look and 'bluffing' technique when disturbed. The lizard is slow moving and deliberate and will freeze when disturbed, turing its large head side on and flattening its body to appear larger than its 35cm length would suggest. However unlike the Chameleon, this lizard catches its prey on the ground.
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2004)
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DWARF BEARDED DRAGON
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| | Pogona minor
| The Dwarf Bearded Dragon and related sub-species (P.m. minor, P.m. minima, and P.m. mitchelli) inhabit most of south-western Australia and the north-western coastal areas. This lizard grows to around 30cm (12in) in length, however most specimens are somewhat smaller.
The Dwarf Bearded Dragons are identified by spines at the rear edges of the jaw and one row of long spines along their flanks.
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Image: David Warwick (Melbourne Zoo Exhibit - Jan 2005)
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EASTERN BEARDED DRAGON (COMMON BEARDED DRAGON)
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| | Pogona barbata
| Growing to around 60cm (24in) the Eastern Bearded Dragon is the largest of the genus Pogona which is endemic to Australia. This species is found along the eastern coast of Australia and around Adelaide and is usually grey in colour although some specimens are more brown in colour. Mature males develop a grey to black 'beard' which they inflate when threatened and a green or blue tinge on the front of their head.
STATUS: COMMON
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Image: David Warwick (Healesville Sanctuary Exhibit - Feb 2005)
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EASTERN WATER DRAGON (AUSTRALIAN OR BROWN WATER DRAGON)
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| | Physignathus lesueurii
| Very common along the east coast of Australia, this speciman was shot near a small lake inside the grounds of Macquarie University in suburban Sydney basking on the rocks early in the morning.
A relatively large lizard growing to around 80cm (32in) it is generally grey-brown in colour with a row of spines, a black stripe behind the eye and black banding, males often have red colouration on the belly and chest. When disturbed, the lizard will flee to water and can remain submerged for over an hour.
STATUS: COMMON
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Image: Ajay Narendra (Macquarie University Sydney - Nov 2005)
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FRILLED LIZARD
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| | Chlamydosaurus kingii
| The Frilled Lizard is the only member of the genus Chlamydosaurus and is easily identified by the loose curtain of scaly skin that is attached to its neck. This 'frill' hangs limp unless the lizard is confronted or during certain 'social displays' at which time it stands at 90 degrees and may be as large as 30cm (12in) across.
The Frilled Lizard is fast on the ground and an acomplished tree climber, often perching on tree trunks. Larger lizards can grow to more than 60cm (24in) in length and can be found along the northern and north-eastern edges of Australia.
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Image: David Warwick (Sydney Wildlife World - Feb 2007)
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LINED EARLESS DRAGON
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| | Tympanocryptis lineata
| Found generally in dry inland areas of Australia, the Earless Dragon, although relatively common, has a number of endangered subspecies, in particular the Tympanocryptis lineata pinguicolla (Eastern Lined Earless Dragon) found in small pockets in Queensland, NSW and Victoria and considered threatened. Earless Dragons do in fact have ears that are concealed by scaly skin.
The Lined Earless Dragon can grow to as large as 100cm (40 in) and the photo shown here is of a very young specimen.
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Image: David Warwick (Sydney Wildlife World - Feb 2007)
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PHILIPPINE SAILFIN LIZARD (OR WATER DRAGON)
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| | Hydrosaurus pustulatus
| The Philippine Sailfin Lizard (Water Dragon) grows to an impressive 90cm (36in) and the male has large sailfins on the back and tail. This lizard also has a vestigal third eye on the top of its head (parietal or pineal eye) that is sensitive to the angle of the sun's rays.
Compared to many of the 'dragons', the Philippine Sailfin can become very tame and if hand-raised will enjoy handling. This lizard lives in the rain forest environments of the Philippine Islands, southern New Guinea and Northern Australia.
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Image: David Warwick (Melbourne Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2004)
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SOUTHERN ANGLE-HEADED DRAGON
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| | Hypsilurus spinipes
| The Southern Angle-Headed Dragon is found along coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland (between Gosford and Gympie) and is distinguishable by its pronounced angular brow.
This lizard lives in rainforest areas and grows to a maximum length of around 25cm (10in).
STATUS: UNCOMMON
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Image: David Warwick (Melbourne Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2004)
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TAWNY CREVICE DRAGON
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| | Ctenophorus decresii
| The tawny crevice dragon is one of the smaller dragon species and can be found basking in the sun on elevated rocks.
The lizard lives in a small area in South Australia and New South Wales. Males agressively defend their territory, patroling their space and threatening other males. An encounter begins with the males waving their legs and bobing their heads vigorously in a spectacular display. A fight may ensue if this fails to deter an intruder.
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Image: David Warwick (Melbourne Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2004)
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THORNY DEVIL
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| | Moloch horridus
| Despite their fearsome appearance, Thorny Devils are a small lizard, growing at most to around 15cm (6in) in length. Found only in the arid western and central areas of Australia, the Moloch horidus was first exhibited in 1840 and named after Milton's Moloch, a king who was smeared with the blood of human sacrifices. This interesting lizard is the only member of the Moloch genus and its unique appearance gets it a lot of attention.
The Thorny Devil's diet consists almost entirely of ants and the lizard survives in desert environments by moving water along grooves in its skin that allows it to drink environmental water including dew that falls collects on its back. Captive specimens may live for around 8 years.
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Image: David Warwick (Sydney Wildlife World - Feb 2007)
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