Wildlifeof China
Chinese Water Dragon
Agamids & Forest Lizards
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Physignathus cocincinus
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly arthropods, supplemented by worms, snails, vertebrates and plant material
Habitat
Dense subtropical evergreen forest beside freshwater streams
Range
Southern China and mainland Southeast Asia
Clutch size
5–16 eggs
Incubation period
2–3 months
Size
Up to 90cm total length; male snout–vent length up to 25cm and female up to 20cm
Weight
Males up to 600g; females up to 250g
The Chinese Water Dragon is a large, robust agamid with a very long laterally compressed tail, muscular limbs and a fringe of enlarged scales along its spine. Adult males have larger heads, swollen jowls and more prominent crests than females. Males can reach 90cm in total length and 600g, while females reach approximately 250g. (Wikipedia, general species account)
This diurnal, semi-arboreal lizard inhabits dense streamside forest in southern China and mainland Southeast Asia. It roosts on branches above water and may escape danger by swimming or remaining submerged. Arthropods form its principal food, supplemented by worms, snails, vertebrates and plants. Females bury clutches of 5–16 eggs in sandy riverbanks; hatching follows after two or three months. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Chinese Water Dragon eat?
- Mainly arthropods, supplemented by worms, snails, vertebrates and plant material
- What habitat does the Chinese Water Dragon live in?
- Dense subtropical evergreen forest beside freshwater streams
- Where is the Chinese Water Dragon found?
- Southern China and mainland Southeast Asia
- How many eggs does the Chinese Water Dragon lay?
- 5–16 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Chinese Water Dragon incubated?
- 2–3 months
- How big is the Chinese Water Dragon?
- Up to 90cm total length; male snout–vent length up to 25cm and female up to 20cm
- How much does the Chinese Water Dragon weigh?
- Males up to 600g; females up to 250g