Australian water dragon, Intellagama lesueurii

Detailed introduction

The Australian Water Dragon is a large arboreal, semi-aquatic lizard, scientifically named *Intellagama lesueurii* (formerly classified under the genus *Physignathus *), belonging to the family Aerialidae in the order Squamata. It is widely distributed near rivers, streams, and urban park waterways in eastern Australia, and is one of the most representative native reptiles of the region.

Classification and nomenclature

• Chinese name: Australian water dragon;

• English name: Australian Water Dragon;

• Scientific name: *Intellagama lesueurii *

• Family: Agamidae → Genus: Intellagama

Appearance features

The Australian water dragon has a slender body and a very striking appearance:

• Size: Adults can reach a total length of 80–90 cm, with the tail accounting for most of the body length; juveniles are significantly smaller;

• Head and body shape: The head is large and slightly flat, the neck is thick, and the body is laterally flattened to facilitate swimming in the water;

• Back crown and spines: A row of distinct spiny scales runs from the head through the back to the upper edge of the tail, forming an appearance similar to a "dragon crown";

• Body color: The body is mainly grayish-brown, olive or brownish-green, with dark horizontal stripes often on the sides and limbs;

• Tail: The tail is long and powerful, with a slightly flattened cross-section, and is an important tool for swimming and maintaining balance in the water;

• Sexual type II: Males are typically larger, with thicker heads and stronger color contrasts, and may exhibit more pronounced color changes during the breeding season.

Distribution range and habitat

Australian water dragons are mainly distributed along the eastern coast of Australia and in adjacent inland areas .

• From southeast Queensland, through New South Wales, all the way to parts of Victoria;

• They can be found in natural rivers, valleys and rainforest edges, as well as in lakes and artificial canals near city parks, campuses and residential areas.

Typical habitat characteristics:

• Near freshwater bodies, such as rivers, streams, ponds and lakes;

• The shoreline has trees, rocks, and fallen logs, making it easy to sunbathe and quickly escape into the water;

• They can often be seen in cities, inhabiting riverbank steps, near bridges, or on park lawns.

Lifestyle Habits and Behaviors

The Australian waterdragon is a diurnal, swimming, arboreal/terrestrial lizard .

• They are active during the day and like to sunbathe their backs to regulate their body temperature;

• When startled, they will quickly leap into the water and stay underwater for several minutes, extending their diving time by reducing their metabolism and utilizing the residual air in their lungs;

• They move freely among the tree trunks, rocks, and shrubs along the riverbank, and sometimes climb to higher branches to rest.

• During the colder seasons, activity decreases, and some regions enter a period of dormancy similar to "hibernation."

feeding habits

Australian waterdragons are typical omnivorous lizards , and their diet may change as they age.

• The larvae mainly consist of insects, spiders, and small invertebrates;

• Adults prey on insects, crustaceans, small fish, and small amphibians, and also eat fallen fruits, flowers, and some tender leaves of plants;

• In city parks, animals sometimes scavenge for food scraps dropped by humans, which is not ideal for their health.

Reproduction and life cycle

Australian waterdragons are oviparous reptiles, and their reproduction is closely related to temperature and season.

• The breeding season is usually in spring and summer, during which males may compete for mates and territory through head nodding, body display and chasing behaviors.

• Female lizards dig nests in loose soil near water to lay their eggs, with each nest containing anywhere from a few to more than ten eggs.

• The eggs hatch in the soil, and the hatching time is affected by the soil temperature. After hatching, the larvae crawl out on their own and begin to live independently.

• In the wild, individuals can live for several years or even longer, and under captive conditions, they may live for more than ten years.

Relationship with humans

In many cities and parks, Australian water dragons have become "familiar neighbors" in people's daily lives.

• They are relatively docile, wary of people but usually do not attack first;

• They are frequently photographed by tourists and photography enthusiasts, becoming an important "star species" for interpreting local wildlife;

• In some areas, the animals have become accustomed to being near humans due to being fed by them, which may alter their natural behavior and be detrimental to their long-term health.

Protecting the status quo and threats

Currently, the Australian water dragon remains a common species within its distribution range and is generally classified as Least Concern (LC) or Not Evaluated in global assessments such as those by the IUCN.

The main potential threats include:

• Riverside habitats have been hardened, and fallen trees and shrubs have been cleared, leaving them without shade or sunbathing spots;

• Pet dogs and cats, along with invasive predators, increase predatory pressure on young and small individuals;

• Water pollution and garbage accumulation affect the quality of water sources and food;

• Artificially feeding them high-salt and high-sugar foods interferes with their normal eating habits.

Protecting natural riverbank vegetation, reducing water pollution, and refraining from indiscriminate feeding of wildlife help maintain healthy populations of Australian water dragons and other native reptiles.