Chinese Water Dragon
ExploreReptiles
Chinese Water Dragon
Physignathus cocincinus
The Chinese Water Dragon is a colorful lizard that loves to swim and climb. They have bright green scales and can grow quite big, making them a fun sight to see in the wild!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Chinese Water Dragon is a vibrant green lizard with distinct vertical stripes and an orange or yellow throat. Males often have prominent crests along their head, back, and tail, making them look like miniature dragons compared to females.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyAgamidaeGenusPhysignathus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male water dragons bob their heads to show off to females!
Their vibrant green skin helps them disappear among tropical leaves.
They can run on their hind legs for short bursts to escape danger!
They sometimes eat tasty fruits as a treat in their diet.
Special abilities
Ability
Sky-Eye Sensor
Chinese Water Dragons have a 'third eye' on their head that senses light changes, helping detect predators from above.
Ability
Tail Break Escape
Chinese Water Dragons can drop their tail if caught, which wiggles to distract predators while they escape.
Ability
Arboreal Plunge
Chinese Water Dragons can drop from tree branches into water below to escape danger or move quickly.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 60-100 cm
- Weight
- 0.2-1 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Swim Speed
- 8 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 6-18
- Incubation
- 60-75 days
- Maximum Depth
- 5 m
Diet & Feeding
They mainly hunt insects and other small animals, but enjoy some plants too!
Age differences: Young are more insectivorous, adults eat larger prey and more plant matter.
Primary Foods
- Crickets
- Locusts
- Small fish
- Mice (pups)
- Fruit
- Leaves
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eats
Two-spotted field cricket
Gryllus bimaculatus
A common insect prey for young and adult dragons.
eats
House mouse
Mus musculus
Larger adult dragons might prey on small mouse pups.
eaten by
Spectacled cobra
Naja naja
Larger snakes are natural predators of water dragons.
eaten by
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Raptors can snatch dragons from branches over water.
Traits
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Chinese Green LizardWater Dragon
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild lizards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Chinese Water Dragon?
60-100 cm
How much does Chinese Water Dragon weigh?
0.2-1 kg
How long does Chinese Water Dragon live?
10-15 years
How fast can Chinese Water Dragon move?
15 km/h
What does Chinese Water Dragon eat?
They mainly hunt insects and other small animals, but enjoy some plants too!
How fast can Chinese Water Dragon swim?
8 km/h
Where is Chinese Water Dragon usually found?
Forests
How does Chinese Water Dragon hunt?
Ambush
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