In captivity, changes from darker to lighter in response to temperature. Males have better-developed crests. They have more orange or yellow than females. Large males' femoral pores are 2 to 4 times greater than those of females of equal size. Flap under the neck is stiffened during head-bobbing display.
Males secrete a fluorescent substance from glands in their legs.
May be used to communicate with others and mark their territories. Females are lighter and more greenish, smaller, with smaller head and shorter dorsal spines. Juveniles have yellow-bordered black spot on their eyelids. Adults can run bipedally on land. Juveniles can run on land and over water.