Distribution and natural history of the cryptic Chameleon Dragon Chelosania brunnea: a review of records

Abstract

The Chameleon Dragon Chelosania brunnea is a rarely encountered and poorly-known agamid lizard. A total of 103 records (58 specimen-backed) were collated to examine aspects of its biology. The Chameleon Dragon occurs widely across north and northwestern Australia with the majority of records from Kakadu National Park (41% of all records), the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley and Katherine areas, largely reflecting past wildlife survey effort. Climatic modelling using BIOCTIM predicted its occurrence in extensive areas of the Gulf of Carpentaria and southern Cape York. The Chameleon Dragon is arboreal, apparently sedentary, with almost all records from eucalypt forest and woodland. Breeding is highly seasonal with males observed mostly in May (apparently to select mates) and females recorded mostly in the mid-dry season (July-August) as they descend to dig nest holes. A juvenile has been recorded in January. Hot late dry season wildfires are probably the main threat to Chameleon Dragons. Suggestions are given for further study of this interesting species.