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Eastern Water Dragon

Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii

Published on Project Noah
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-27.4768, 152.976

Field Notes

Description:

With a head-body length up to 23 cm and a tail length of up to 80 cm, the Australian Water Dragon is Australia's largest agamid lizard. Water Dragons were previously considered to belong to a single genus of two species, Physignathus. However, recent DNA studies have led to the two species being divided into two genera — Physignathus and Intellagama. The Water Dragon species found in Australia is divided into two subspecies; the Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii, previously known as Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii) and the Gippsland Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howitti, previously known as Physignathus lesueurii howitti).

Habitat:

A large pond at the botanical gardens at Mt Coot-tha, established on subtropical woodlands, where they roam freely as they do in many other parts of Brisbane.

Notes:

Australian water dragons are semi-aquatic and typically perch in conspicuous ways near creeks, rivers, lakes and other water bodies. This one was disturbed by an ibis which can just be seen on the last shot.
Thank you Neil Ross for spotting this beauty.
See this dragon in the water here:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/275306016

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)

Mark, :-) I like to believe that look is not aimed at the photographer but at the ibis that just picked at its tail (see last shot). Not to mention that Neil Ross also roaming around the pond looking for dragons and things:-) If you want to see a "smiling" reptile by anthropomorphic criteria, check my saw-shelled turtle :-).
You're right Leanne.. in spite of that look of utter disdain.
Thanks Neil! Sorry it's taken me so long to start uploading. I've been far too busy since being back :-(
I've been so looking forward to seeing your Mt. Coot-tha photos, Daniele. This is awesome. Gee he's a handsome fellow. Totally wrapped!! :-)

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