Australian Lizards Trivia Quiz

Answer: Frilled lizard

The frilled lizard, also known as the frill-neck, a member of the dragon family, is one of Australia's most distinctive species, noted for the large frill that it raises to deter predators. Australia had two cent coins from 1966 to 1990, and the frilled lizard appeared on the reverse. Bearded dragons also attempt to appear larger by puffing up their bodies, although they do not have a frill.

Answer: Skinks

The aptly named blue-tongue lizard is one of the larger skink species, and is comparable in size to many species of dragons. Goannas (monitor lizards) are typically much larger. Chameleons are not native to Australia.

Answer: False

It was believed for many years that the only venomous lizards were two North American species, the Gila monster and the closely related Mexican beaded lizard. Monitor bites are known to be toxic, but it was previously thought that these toxic effects were solely due to bacteria in their mouths.

However, in 2005, an Australian researcher, Dr Bryan Fry, noticed that a zookeeper in Singapore who had been bitten by a Komodo dragon underwent a toxic reaction that occurred too rapidly to be caused by bacteria.

He subsequently discovered that monitor lizards, which are commonly known in Australia as goannas, have venom glands that allow them to deliver a venomous bite. The Australian bearded dragon has also been found to have venom glands, although its poison is too weak to cause humans serious harm.

Answer: Moloch

Moloch is not only one of its common names but appears in its scientific name, Moloch horridus. This seems like rather a gruesome name for such an inoffensive creature. As far as I know, no-one has ever sacrificed children to a thorny devil. Besides, they only eat ants!

Answer: Perentie

The Perentie, a goanna (monitor), is also the fourth largest lizard in the world and can grow up to 2.5 m long and weigh up to 15 kg. Although the Komodo dragon is the world's largest lizard, it is not native to Australia. The house gecko is one of the smaller lizards. The stumpy-tailed lizard is rather large for a skink but much smaller than a typical goanna.

Answer: Shedding their tails

This is a defence mechanism they share with many other kinds of small lizards. If a predator grabs the tail, it will drop off and wriggle around, hopefully distracting the predator long enough for the skink to escape. Skinks can regenerate lost tails. Horned lizards (also commonly known as horny toads, even though they are not amphibians) have the ability to spurt blood from their eyes, but they are native to North America.

Some species of Australian lizards do puff up their bodies to appear larger, but not to many times their normal size! I've never heard of any animals that can shoot lasers from their eyes, but it would be pretty cool if they did!

Answer: Iguanas

Iguanas are not native to Australia and are more typically found in tropical regions of the Americas. The local word that Australians use to refer to monitor lizards, "goanna," is thought to be a corruption of iguana.

Answer: Legless lizard

I hope that was a fairly easy one! Although they are snake-like in appearance, they are true lizards and actually have rudimentary hind legs. Additionally, they can drop their tails when threatened by predators, like many other lizards, which snakes cannot do. Only snakes are constrictors, as legless lizards do not have the ability to constrict their prey. All dragons have four legs, as does the Gila monster, which is native to North America.

Answer: Gecko

Geckos are common in tropical parts of Australia and are usually welcomed by home owners as they eat insects. Many species have adhesive toe pads that allow them to climb on walls and ceilings with ease, and some can even crawl on glass windows! Chameleons do have unusually large eyes but are native to Madagascar. Goannas are rather too large to be welcome in people's homes.

Answer: Skink

The land mullet is the largest variety of skink in Australia and may reach up to 60 cm long. Goannas are typically much larger than this, while geckos are much smaller indeed.