Eastern Water Dragon

Description:

Eastern Water Dragons grow to about 90cm with males growing larger than females and about tho-thirds of their length consisting of their tail. The colour is grey or brownish-grey with a series of black bands along the back and tail and a black stripe on the side of the head behind the eye. The ventral surface is creamy-white, although mature males have a bright red belly and chest. Enlarged scales form a crest down the middle of the head, back and tail. Legs are relatively long and the tail is flattened on the sides, assisting in swimming. Limbs are mostly black with stripes and spots of grey.

Habitat:

Eastern Water Dragons inhibit coastal waters of Eastern Australia from Cooktown in northern Queensland to around Kangaroo Valley on the South Coast of New South Wales. Their habitat varies greatly over their range, occupying tropical rain forests in the north to alpine streams in the south. They can also be found in built-up urban areas if suitable habitat and water can be found.

Notes:

These photos were taken from a backyard in Epping Sydney where a male and three females would swim in the swimming pool and bask beside the pool. Epping is in the northern suburbs of Sydney about 18km north-west of Sydney Central Business District.