What does the Eastern Water Dragon look like?
The Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) is about half a metre long with rough scales, sharp spines and ancient features that resemble fairytale dragons. They are grey-brown in colour with black banding, and some have a red belly and chest. Usually a broad black band extends through the eye. A crest of spines runs from the head to the tail.
Water dragons are different from all other lizards – they have four well-developed limbs, each with five claws, and a tail that is longer than the body. Males are larger than females, sometimes reaching 80 cm in length.
Where does the Eastern Water Dragon live?
They are semi-aquatic and live along the east coast of Australia around creeks, rivers or lakes. They can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes and will rise to the surface where they need to breathe.
Fast Facts:
- Eastern Water Dragons grab their food with short, thick tongues. All other Australian lizards use only their jaws to grasp food
- Males are very territorial and will not tolerate another mature male in the same area. They have been known to chase small dogs and even small children with their vigorous threat displays when they feel threatened.
Eastern Water Dragon – the full story
The Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) is about half a metre long with rough scales, sharp spines and ancient features that resemble fairytale dragons. They are grey-brown in colour with black banding, and some have a red belly and chest. Usually a broad black band extends through the eye. A crest of spines runs from the head to the tail.
Water dragons are different from all other lizards – they have four well-developed limbs, each with five claws, and a tail that is longer than the body. Males are larger than females, sometimes reaching 80 cm in length.
They are semi-aquatic and live along the east coast of Australia around creeks, rivers or lakes. They can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes and will rise to the surface where they need to breathe.
You will be lucky to catch a glimpse of the Eastern Water Dragon who is seldom seen. Often the only clue to their presence is a splash as they drop into water from an overhanging branch. Males are very territorial and will not tolerate another mature male in the same area. They have been known to chase small dogs and even small children with their vigorous threat displays when they feel threatened. Their displays are mostly bluff. The male dragon will try to look as large as possible by puffing out the throat and showing a wide open mouth. They usually walk on all four limbs but can run very fast on their hind two legs for short distances.
As fierce as they may seem, Eastern Water Dragons are usually shy animals. They are active during both the day and night time when they hunt for insects, frogs, yabbies and water insects.
Eastern Water Dragons sometimes eat vegetation, fruit and berries as well.
They mate during spring near water and then during November and December females lay their eggs in nests away from the water. Female dragons can lay between 10-20 eggs with young hatching in January and February.
Eastern Water Dragons grab their food with short, thick tongues. All other Australian lizards use only their jaws to grasp food.
Eastern Water Dragons love:
A large pond or creek – in a sunny part of your yard, near shelter.
A safe place to hide – usually in gaps between rocks or bricks, a wood pile, or in a clay pipe.
Food – especially insects, frogs, yabbies and water insects.
Overhanging plants – which provide safe haven around a pool, pond or creek and protection from predators.
But they don’t like:
Snail and slug bait – which will poison them when they eat contaminated snails or slugs.
Cats and dogs – which frighten or even attack them.
Being handled – as they can be very territorial and may bite or scratch.
Be a water dragon buddy
Try to:
- plant native shrubs so lizards can move safely around near your pool or pond.
- make gardens along fences to provide safe walkways. They prefer to stay out of the open.
- keep a watchful eye on your dog and cat if near where Eastern Water Dragons live.
- check your pool or yard for sunbaking or territorial male dragons
Avoid:
- using pesticides or snail baits around your garden
- handling Eastern Water Dragons. They can be very territorial and can scratch or bite if handled.
- disturbing dragons sunning themselves on paths, terraces and other warm places
Tip
Eastern Water Dragons will live for years in peaceful gardens with a large pond or creek nearby. You can help by protecting native shrubs and trees that overhang creeks near your house, as these provide a home for water dragons.
Did you know?
Pollution in creeks is bad news for water dragons. It is often a result of garden and household chemicals washing into waterways.
Eastern Water Dragons are native animals and are protected across Australia. If you have one in your backyard or pool that is causing trouble you should not move it away. Call a wildlife rescue group or your local council for assistance.
