Home › Reptilia › Agamidae › Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)
Intellagama
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Reptilia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Near water bodies like rivers, creeks, urban ponds, often in forests or woodlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Squamata
FAMILY
Agamidae
GENUS
Intellagama
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 90 cm total length (including tail), males larger; 0.5-1 kg
COLORATION
Greenish-grey to brown with black bands; males brighter throat colors (red, orange, blue) during breeding
ADAPTATIONS
Strong limbs for climbing and swimming, long tail for balance and propulsion
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Near water bodies like rivers, creeks, urban ponds, often in forests or woodlands
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria
REPRODUCTION
Females lay 6-18 eggs in nests, hatch after 60-75 days
DIET DETAILS
Eats insects, small fish, frogs, fruits, and vegetation
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, predation by introduced species, road mortality
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Aquatic Agilists: Eastern water dragons dive into Brisbane Botanic Gardens’ rivers, swimming 10 km/h to escape predators, consuming 50 insects daily. Their millions-strong population thrives in urban ponds, though roads kill 5,000 yearly, impacting their coastal range.
2
Colorful Breeders: Males flash vibrant throat colors in Royal National Park, attracting mates while basking on Noosa’s rocks, their 90 cm tails aiding balance. Their omnivorous diet, including 20 fruits monthly, supports survival, with females laying 100 eggs over a lifetime.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Brisbane River in Queensland has City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs for water dragon sightings
Royal National Park in New South Wales offers Hacking River and Wattamolla trails near water for water dragon sightings
Noosa National Park in Queensland has Tea Tree Bay coastal trails for water dragon sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Search riverbanks at midday to spot dragons basking on rocks.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
September-March. Spring and summer make dragons active near water for basking.
