Image 45 of 128
Gundimin I WL14586
Gundimin I WL14586
The frilled lizard, or the frillneck lizard, is a reptile typically found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. This image is inspired by a story shared by a Bunitj Aboriginal elder in the Northern Territory. The story recounts the tale of Gundimin, who violated traditional law and was transformed into a checked, frilled, and wrinkled lizard. Frilled lizards primarily feed on insects and invertebrates and rarely eat vertebrates. They are predators that wait for their prey, watching for potential targets from an elevated position. Once they spot a possible meal, they rush towards it before descending on all fours to grab and eat it. Frilled lizards, kangaroos, and koalas are among the most iconic Australian animals.