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[[Image:Physignathus_lesueurii.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Australian water dragon''' (Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Physignathus_lesueurii.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Australian water dragon''' (© Andrew Napier, Wikimedia Commons)]]

 

Scientific name: ''Physignathus'' spp.

Scientific name: ''Physignathus'' spp.

*Chinese, Thai or green Water dragon - ''P. cocincinus''

*Chinese, Thai or green Water dragon - ''P. cocincinus''

*Australian or Eastern Water dragon - ''P. lesueurii''

*Australian or Eastern Water dragon - ''P. lesueurii''

===Thai or green Water dragon (''P. cocincinus'')===

===Thai or green Water dragon (''P. cocincinus'')===

Adult males may reach 90-100cm in length. They are large bright green lizards with an obvious dorsal crest continuing as a row of enlarged dorsal scales running from the back of the head to the tail. This crest is more obvious in males. There are conical scales at the angle of the jaws and an exposed tympanum. The chin is white and the throat may be yellow or white. The eye is bright amber. Superficially they resemble some of the South American iguanids such as ''Iguana'' and ''Baciliscus'' spp.

Adult males may reach 90-100cm in length. They are large bright green lizards with an obvious dorsal crest continuing as a row of enlarged dorsal scales running from the back of the head to the tail. This [[Crest|crest]] is more obvious in males. There are conical scales at the angle of the jaws and an exposed tympanum. The chin is white and the throat may be yellow or white. The eye is bright amber. Superficially they resemble some of the South American iguanids such as ''Iguana'' and ''Baciliscus'' spp.

===Australian or Eastern Water dragon (''P. lesueurii'')===

===Australian or Eastern Water dragon (''P. lesueurii'')===

==Enclosure==

==Enclosure==

[[Image:Chinese_water_dragon.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Chinese water dragon''' (Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Chinese_water_dragon.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Chinese water dragon''' <br> Jakub Hałun 2009, Wikimedia Commons]]

Water dragons require a large enclosure. Rostral abrasions are a common problem with this species. They need space; at least twice their total length - so a minimum of 1.8m long, by at least 90cm width and 1.2-1.8m high. They are semi-arboreal, need enough branches for climbing, ground for roosting and feeding and water to submerge and swim in. They also need sufficient heat and UVB light. Branches should also be provided and need to be at least as wide as the dragons; place them diagonal for climbing, horizontal for roosting.

Water dragons require a large enclosure. Rostral abrasions are a common problem with this species. They need space; at least twice their total length - so a minimum of 1.8m long, by at least 90cm width and 1.2-1.8m high. They are semi-arboreal, need enough branches for climbing, ground for roosting and feeding and water to submerge and swim in. They also need sufficient heat and UVB light. Branches should also be provided and need to be at least as wide as the dragons; place them diagonal for climbing, horizontal for roosting.

Daytime: 24-30ºC, dropping to a minimum of 19ºC at night. They must have a basking area going up to 35ºC during day at one side of the tank. Use thermometers.

Daytime: 24-30ºC, dropping to a minimum of 19ºC at night. They must have a basking area going up to 35ºC during day at one side of the tank. Use thermometers.

[[Category:Lizard_Species]]

[[Category:Lizard_Species]]