American frilled lizard

The **American frilled lizard** (*Psudeochlamydosaurus americanum*) is a species of lizard of the family Iguanidae, most closely related to the desert iguana (*Dipsosaurus dorsalis*), despite its name or appearance resembling *Chlamydosaurus* of Australia, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The American frilled lizard is a relatively large member of its family, growing up to 85 centimeters (2.79 feet). It is capable of bipedal locomotion and is described as regularly moving in this manner with a purposeful stride at times. Colouration tends to be brown or grey with spots and blotches of darker colours mixed in a mottled fashion to give the appearance of tree bark. There is not one standard colour: rather, colouration varies according to the lizard's environment. For example, an American frilled lizard found in a dryer, clay filled environment will most likely have a collage of oranges, reds, and browns; whereas a lizard found in a damper, more tropical region will tend to show darker browns and greys, and some greens. This suggests they are adapted to their habitats; their colours are a form of camouflage. The most distinct feature of these lizards of North America is the large ruff of skin which usually lies folded back against its head and neck. The neck frill is supported by long spines of cartilage which are connected to the jaw bones. When the lizard is frightened, it produces a startling deimatic display: it gapes its mouth, exposing a bright pink or yellow lining; it spreads out its frill, displaying bright orange and red scales; raises its body; and sometimes holds its tail above its body. This reaction is used for territorial displays, to discourage predators, and during courtship. The red and orange parts of its frill contain carotenoid pigments. The bones of the frill are modified elongate hyoid types that form rods which expand the frill. Secondarily the frill can serve as a form of camouflage when relaxed; there is no standard colouration to the body, but it is usually darker than the frill. The American frilled lizard tends to be an arboreal animal, meaning it spends a majority of its time in the trees. The American frilled lizard ventures to the floor only in search of food, or to engage in territorial conflicts. The forested habitats in which the American frilled lizard can live in can be a product of the its carnivorous diet, which consists mainly of small arthropods and vertebrates (usually smaller lizards). However, the trees are most importantly used for camouflage and the American frilled lizards are not entirely dependant of trees for survival, as they can live in less forested environments and feed on a wide array of smaller animals of the open grasslands and scrublands. The American frilled lizard is sexually dimorphic; meaning that there are physical differences between male and females. This dimorphism is apparent in the length of the lizard; the male is generally larger than the female. There is little to no dimorphism in the colour of the American frilled lizard. American frilled lizards breed in early spring from March to April. Adult males fight for mates, displaying their frills and biting each other. One to three clutches of 6–25 eggs are laid from early to mid-wet season from April to early June. The eggs are soft-shelled and are laid in a nest 5–20 centimeters (2.0–7.9 inches) below ground, and usually in sunny areas. Incubation takes two to three months. Gender is partly temperature determined, with extreme temperatures producing exclusively females, and intermediate temperatures (17–35 °C, or 62–95 °F) producing equal numbers of males and females. The conservation status of the American frilled lizard is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the American filled lizard's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.