Finally ‘Shocktober’ is over and the far more sensible month of November (well mostly if you disregard my birthday) is gracing us with here pleasure. So we can wave farewell to the range of fell beasts such as the Snubnosed Eel, a ruffian that had no equal in its disgusting behaviour. This week we have a draconic issue from the land down under, hope you guys enjoy.

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Issue #147 – Australian Water Dragon

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Reptilia

Order – Squamata

Family – Agamidae

Genus – Intellagama

Species – lesueurii

Related Species – The Australian Water Dragon is the only member of the genus Intellagama (1)

Range

There Be Dragons!!

Australian Water Dragons are the largest of Australia’s ‘dragon lizards’ reaching a length just shy of a meter, although it should be noted that two thirds of the lizards body length is tail. Both males and females are pale grey with black banding running down their backs, as well as a black stripe that starts behind the eye and terminates above the reptile’s front legs. Male dragons are more heavily built then females and have a bright red chest and belly that is used when displaying to potential mates.

Australian Water Dragons are omnivores with their diet shifting from invertebrates as juveniles, to small mammals and reptiles, including smaller members of their own species, as adults with all life stages supplementing their diet with plant matter. Despite their relatively large size as adults, water dragons are predated on numerous species of snakes and birds, as well as introduced Red Foxes (Vulpus vulpus) and domestic cats (Felis catus). To reduce the risk of predation, Water Dragons will readily seek cover in ponds, rivers and lakes, and are strong swimmers, thanks to their long laterally compressed tails (2).

While male Australian Water Dragons are territorial all year round, their aggression is magnified during the breeding season. Dominant males are often challenged for access to the groups of females they protect, often in head-bobbing and arm waving contests to determine which animal is stronger, although the animals will physically fight each other if they are evenly matched. After mating, the female Australian Water Dragon will dig a burrow and lay her eggs inside before leaving. The eggs hatch some time later, with the young staying close to the burrow to avoid confrontation with the larger adults.

Five Fun Australian Water Dragon Facts

The gender of young Australian Water Dragons is determined by the heat of the nest. Females are more likely to be born if the temperate exceeds 28°C or drops below 26°C, with males more likely to breed in the temperature band in the middle (3).

Throughout their southern range, Australian Water Dragons hibernate underground during the winter months

Australian Water Dragons are commonly found in city parks and suburbs and quickly become used to human sounds and interactions. They can often be spotted basking along river banks and on the edge of paths.

When threatened and separated from water, the Australian Water Dragon can run on its hind legs for a short distance.

No talk about dragon lizards would be completed without mentioning the most well-known dragon lizard: the Bearded Dragon (Pogona sp) a genus of eight lizards from Australia. These lizards are so named because of the flap of spiny skin under the throat. When angry or threatened the lizard will flick the flap forward to make it seem bigger to potential rivals and predators then it really is.

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - https://web.archive.org/web/20080727073914/http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/tbiol/zoology/herp/Physignathuslesueuri.pdf

3 - http://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/reptiles/australian-water-dragon

Picture References

1 - https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pDk3h2SEyhM/maxresdefault.jpg

2 - http://www.arod.com.au/arod/pictures/stateMapWithCoords.php?speciesID=51

3 - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ac/44/4f/ac444f5e1c18b2721b2261503b0ed8d6.jpg

4 - Photo taken by E.J Clayton SCd, MSc, BSc (Please ask permission before using)

5 - http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W90V87w3sr8/TSdOuFvk8xI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Fk9CRiT2kMc/s1600/Bearded+Dragon1.jpg

I don’t know about you but this animal is really cool, and not even disgusting. Next week well let’s just say I’m bringing disco back, but until then make sure to critic, comment and suggest future issues as well as making sure you check past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

Many Thanks

Impurest Cheese

Want more IGTA? For more crazy lizards click here to see the ghoulish giant gecko. Or click here to slow down and enjoy island life with the Solomon Island Skink.