FAUNA - Rescuing, caring for and rehabilitating orphaned, sick or injured native wildlife in South East (SE) Queensland, Australia

EASTERN WATER DRAGON

Eastern Water Dragons can run very fast to catch food or escape if they are being chased. They love to eat small animals like frogs, crabs, small lizards and insects, but also enjoy berries and fruit that grow near the creek.

They are coloured greenish grey with yellowish black markings on their cheeks and back. These colours help these dragons to hide in the bushes near the creek.

When the males become mature they grow a crest on their head and chest which is a rich red or orange-red. Red and golden-yellow colour patches will appear on their chest and the sides of their bodies. Then it will be time for the males to find female mates!

Females lay many eggs, about 10-20 in every clutch. She digs holes in the soft earth of the creek banks to lay them in. Water Dragons may measure as much a 90cm, although one was found near Bundaburg (Central Queensland) that measured over 1.2m. EasternWater Dragons are found in Eastern and Southern Australia and another relative lives in the west of Australia.

They live in freshwater creeks and rivers, but can tolerate salt or brackish coastal mangroves. You will probably find Eastern Water Dragons around the Boondall Wetlands.