六邊形戰士？還是爬寵跨界頂流？傘蜥 Frilled lizard、Chlamydosaurus kingii

When it comes to the most dramatic reptiles, the frilled lizard is definitely on the list. It doesn't crave confrontation, yet exudes a powerful aura; it doesn't possess magic, but it can inflate itself three times in half a second. Today, let's get to know it. The frilled lizard (scientific name: *Chlamydosaurus kingii*), commonly known as the cloaked lizard, gets its name from the large, stretchable fold around its neck. This neck fold is a large patch of skin supported by the rod-shaped hyoid cartilage connecting to the lower jaw, normally folded around the neck and shoulders like a cape. When fully extended, it forms a disc shape, reaching up to 30 centimeters in diameter, more than four times the length of its body. The unfolding mechanism is almost "automatic," because the muscles around the lower jaw and tongue are connected to the neck fold cartilage; the neck fold springs open rapidly the moment the mouth opens, the entire process taking less than half a second—incredibly fast. The vibrancy of the neck fold's color is due to the combined action of two key pigments: carotenoids and pterin. Interestingly, the depth of color directly reflects the frilled lizard's health and "fighting prowess." Red/orange: Contains more carotenoids from food, meaning the lizard is stronger, has a more balanced diet, and is more advantageous in fights. Yellow: Related to higher levels of steroid hormones in the body. Therefore, the color of the neck folds is like a "health report" and "power ranking" hanging around the frilled lizard's neck, revealing its true condition as soon as it is unfolded.