# 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! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Chinese Green Lizard, Water Dragon ![Chinese Water Dragon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Wasseragame.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wasseragame.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Agamidae - **Genus:** Physignathus ## 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 - **Sky-Eye Sensor:** Chinese Water Dragons have a 'third eye' on their head that senses light changes, helping detect predators from above. - **Tail Break Escape:** Chinese Water Dragons can drop their tail if caught, which wiggles to distract predators while they escape. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Raptors can snatch dragons from branches over water. ## Traits - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild lizards. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Chinese Water Dragon? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Chinese Water Dragon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinese-water-dragon)