Desert Duel

This Indigenous Dot Art painting features two Australian reptiles in a "Face Off", although they rarely come in contact with each other. 

On the left is the Frilled Neck Lizard, with its Frill out in full and on the right, is the shorter reptile, the Thorny Devil. 

FRILLED NECK LIZARD (Chlamydosaurus kingii), is an amazing little reptile. It is also an Australian icon. They are between 70 to 90 cms long, and have a 'frill' around their head. When the lizard gets frightened, it opens its mouth and the frill is folded out. This is to make the lizard appear larger and is one of its defensive strategies

against predators. The lizard can also run very fast, and it runs on its two hind legs; even humans find it very difficult to catch them. 

They live in hot tropical climates, so are found all over the northern part of Australia. They like to bathe themselves in the sun like other reptiles. They feed on all kinds of small insects. The frilled neck lizard can stay very still, and match the color of its surroundings. It goes unnoticed by insects, and the frilled neck lizard can easily catch them before they have a chance to escape. 

The female frilled neck lizard lays about 15 eggs. They take on average 3-4 months to hatch. 

Amazing Fact: The Frilled Neck Lizard was pictured on Australia's two cent coin. The coins are no longer in circulation. 

The THORNY DEVIL, (Mococh Horridus)is another amazing Australian reptile, this creature is covered in thorns. Hence its name. Despite its appearance, it is totally harmless. They are found in central and western Australia throughout deserts and light bushland. 

The Thorny Devil is on average about 20 cms long, and they feed on a wide variety of ants. They catch them by using their tongue much the same as an ant-eater would do.  

Amazingly, when rain lands on the Thorny Devils back, it runs down small furrows on the creature finding its way to its mouth where it is consumed. 

Also, the Thorny Devil has the ability to change color to suit its surrounds.  

Medium: Acrylic Paint on Stretched Canvas. 

Painted: 2006.