Scientific name: Chelosania brunnea
Conservation Status: Not evaluated
Body Length: 118mm
Weight: 15–40 g
Incubation: 59–74 days
Number of eggs: 2–3
Distribution: Northern tip of Western Australia through to north east of Northern Territory and north-western Queensland.
Habitat: Savannah and Woodland
Description: The Chameleon Dragon varies in colour from reddish brown to pale grey or yellowish mustard. It is sometimes marked with dark brown spots and patches and has two long, narrow brown bars down the nape of its neck. The Chameleon Dragon has a long, blunt-tipped tail with broad, dark brown bands between lighter interspaces. It also has a distinctive flap of skin that hangs beneath its lower jaw and a wedge-shaped ear opening on either side of its head.
Diet: The Chameleon Dragon is an insectivore and feeds on large insects including grasshoppers and cockroaches.
In the wild: The Chameleon Dragon is often found perched on fallen trees and low lying vegetation. Females bury small clutches and lay eggs between June and September. The Chameleon Dragon moves slowly and deliberately, immediately freezing when disturbed.
At Perth Zoo: The Chameleon Dragon can be found in the Reptile Encounter.
Did you know? While the Chameleon Dragon is named for it resemblance to the chameleon, it does not have the ability to rapidly change colour.
