Eastern Water Dragon
Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii (formerly Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii)
-27.4757, 152.979
Field Notes
Description:
A lovely, big water dragon being true to it's name. This fellow was large, and his colouring so beautiful. I love these reptiles, not only for their beauty, but also for their confidence. When they're accustomed to people, they are very calm and casual, and on most occasions you quite literally have to step over them because they just won't move. That's certainly the case here at the botanical gardens. However, the same can't be said when it comes to children and their interactions with water dragons, because little kids tend to rush them, as was the case with this fellow. The safest place was in the water. The water is his domain, and as a matter of interest, he can stay submerged for up to 90 minutes if need be. That's enough time for any kid to loose interest, and probably chase some ducks instead. Someone threw him some bread for the inconvenience.
Habitat:
Spotted in the pond at the Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens in Brisbane QLD. If there's a body of fresh water, there's bound to be a water dragon or two.
Notes:
PS: I know this spotting is a male because of his strong colouration and large head. The latter sounds like many human males, don't you think? ;-)
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