Eastern Water Dragon (recent hatchling)

Description:

This little fellow was, from nose to tail, approximately 7-8 inches long, and I say it's a "recent" hatchling because it's way-too-small to be called a juvenile. Including the tail, which comprises about two-thirds of the total length, an adult female can grow to about 60 cm (2 feet) long, and an adult male can grow slightly longer than one metre (3 feet). Males show bolder colouration and have larger heads than females, and the colour is less distinct in juveniles. As a recent hatchling, I have no idea if this spotting is male or female. Only time will tell. The biggest danger that this little guy faces is predation. Even the common garden skink is a threat, but lightning-fast speed and agility is on his side. Water is never too far away, so that's probably the safest place when feeling threatened. Even at this age, he's a strong swimmer.

Habitat:

Spotted by a small pond in an enclosed fern garden, at the Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens in Brisbane QLD. Most large predators don't have access to this area.

Notes:

Here's a spotting of an adult male, and if this little guy is a male, this is what he'll grow into - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/141...