Home»ALL PHOTOGRAPHS»MISCELLANEOUS GROUPS»WILDLIFE»Eastern Water Dragon

DESCRIPTION
Size: Length - 200mm
Identification: Colour ranges from pale yellowish brown, shade of grey to brownish grey with up to 7 broad blackish bars across back. Pale, enlarged scales form broken irregular lines across body, hindlimbs and tail. A broad black line runs from the eye, past the ear onto the side of neck. The limbs are darker than the body and the tail may have dark and pale bands marked along it. The belly is yellowish brown to bright red.
Juveniles, however, are darker and hence only the pale scale pattern is often observed. Also, the belly lacks the red pigment.
DISTRIBUTION
Coast, ranges and hinterland of eastern Australia. Located between Cairns and Cooktown (Qld) and Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales.
HABITAT
This lizard is found around margins of creeks, rivers and lakes, usually seen on rocks logs or overhanging branches.
FEEDING
Feeds on a wide range of invertebrates (including molluscs and crustaceans) as well as small vertebrates (including fish, hatchling tortoises and small mammals).
BREEDING
Clutches of 6-18 eggs are laid in burrows.
MOVEMENT
This lizard can swim strongly by keeping its limbs by its side and moving its tail from side to side. It is also able to remain submerged for over one hour. The Eastern Water Dragon is extremely wary and will drop many metres into water from overhanging vegetation if approached.