[8] This diurnal (day-active) lizard, like the majority reptiles, is an ectotherm meaning that it has to rely on its environment to regulate body temperature and as a result will spend considerable time basking to absorb heat.

[9] Known to be especially fond of low vegetation and ground debris such as fallen logs and branches,[5] it occupies short burrows often concealed at the base of shrubs such as saltbush.

[4][6] Unlike the majority of other agamids which like to perch in elevated places,[8] this species prefers to rest on low branches,[4] from which it will forage over the surrounding open areas and ground litter.

[8] Most of their communication is visually oriented with stylised head bops and dips, arm waving, and tail lashing playing a big part.

[8] Employing a sit-and-wait hunting technique, painted dragons will use their keen vision to detect most of their prey by the telltale movement they make.

[8] While it is believed that this is more of a reflection on availability than preference, it still remains to be explained why they take ants at all when so many other lizards actively avoid them due to the formic acid they contain.

These include having high testosterone levels, which in turn affects the ability to fight off predators and an aptitude to defend his territory and offspring.

[13] However, the increased aggression and early defence of territory that red lizards express has a significant metabolic expense, which decreases overall fitness.

[14] On the other hand, yellow males show high survival rates, potentially due to relatively lower energy costs in territorial defence.

[16] Thus male breeding colouration likely acts as an indicator to females of the underlying level of oxidative stress induced damage in potential mates.