Sydney, a bustling city known for its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is also home to a unique reptilian inhabitant – the Water Dragon Lizard. These lizards, known scientifically as “Intellagama lesueurii”, are Australia’s largest dragon lizards and are a common sight along the healthy waterways of Sydney.

Water Dragon Lizards are arboreal creatures, meaning they spend a significant amount of their time in trees. They are equipped with long, powerful limbs and sharp claws, perfect for climbing. Their muscular, laterally-compressed tails, which make up two-thirds of their body size, are designed for swimming. 

These lizards are easily recognizable by their prominent nuchal and vertebral crests. Males are known to exhibit bolder coloration and have larger heads than females. The overall color of these lizards is a light greenish-grey, with black bands running across their back, tail, and legs. 

Interestingly, Water Dragon Lizards have the ability to slowly change their skin color to aid in camouflage, and their skin will shed during periods of growth.

There are two subspecies of the Water Dragon Lizard: the Eastern Water Dragon and the Gippsland Water Dragon. The Eastern Water Dragons are usually white, yellow, and red on the throat and possess a dark band behind their eye. On the other hand, Gippsland Water Dragons lack this and instead have dark bands on either side of their throat, which is blotched with yellow, orange, or blue.

Water Dragon Lizards are semi-aquatic and are found in eastern Australia from Victoria northwards to Queensland. They live near creeks, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies that have basking sites such as overhanging branches or rocks in open or filtered sun. They are very common in the rainforest section of Brisbane Botanic Gardens, and Mount Coot-tha in Queensland.

Water Dragon Lizards are social creatures and aggregate in groups in areas of suitable habitat. These groups usually consist of several females, juveniles, and a dominant male. Males are normally very protective and territorial, and in certain denser areas of higher population, they can exhibit rough displays of aggression toward other males or threats. I know that they are not scared of humans as I have been chased by a large one in Brisbane once even though I was a long way away from the animal.

Sydney’s Water Dragon Lizards are a fascinating species, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Australia. Their unique physical characteristics, intriguing social behavior, and adaptability to both land and water make them a captivating subject of study. As we continue to explore and understand these creatures, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of life that exists in our own backyards.

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Photograph by Mike Fernandes from MikeFernandes.com

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