Common Name: Eastern Water Dragon

Scientific Name: Physignathus lesuerii lesuerii

Food: Eastern Water Dragons likes insects such as crickets, mealworms or even pinkie rats or mice as well as fish. They also like soft, sweet fruits, along with commercial cat or dog foods, and the food should all be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement.

Distribution: Australia

Habitat: Contrary to their names Eastern Water Dragons are land dwellers, living in wooded or bushy areas near water.

Color Discription: Eastern Water Dragons are gray-green in color and have colorful markings. Usually the cheeks and backs of Eastern Water Dragons are striped or banded with yellow or black. Males are especially colorful, with orange to red chests and yellow to red body markings.

Physical Discription: Mature males also acquire a crest on their heads along with their coloring. Eastern Water Dragons have lines of scales across their bodies and backs of broken or irregular coloration which form interesting patterns.

Size: 36"

Temperatures/Humidity: Eastern Water Dragon need a large, warm enclosure 75º - 90º. With plenty of high humidity.

Breeding/Reproduction: Male Eastern Water Dragons keeps a harem of females. They defend this harem with territorial behavior such as head bobbing or arm waving. Female Eastern Water Dragons lay clutches of 6 - 18 eggs. They dig holes in sandy banks in which to deposit their eggs, which will hatch in about three months.

Cage Setup: Be sure to provide branches, sturdy plants for climbing, and a shaded hiding spot so the Water Dragon may cool off or hide if it feels stressed.

Water: Should be provided with a large water pan at all times, as Eastern Water Dragons lie in shallow water all night.

Special Needs: it is important to provide a UVB light that will provide sufficient simulated daylight in addition to a basking spot warmer than the rest of the cage.