Australian Native Wildlife - Eastern Water Dragon
February 5th 2009 12:33
They vigorously throw themselves into water when threatened, and can remain submerged for up to half an hour. Adaptations to a semi-aquatic lifestyle include a laterally flattened tail and nostrils mounted high on the head. Unlike skinks, dragons can not regenerate their tail.
Eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) can grow to 80 or 90cm, with the tail comprising more than half the length. They bear a dragon like crest of spiny nuchal scales beginning at the head and continuing the length of the body and tail.
Their colour is generally a greyish brown background with black and yellow spots coalescing into bands towards the tail, and a dark band from the eyes to the shoulders. These features are less distinct on females and juveniles.
This species was known as moggil by aboriginals from around Brisbane. A creek and a suburb in Queensland’s capital bear the name to this day.
| 64 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog