Chinese water dragon

Green Water Dragon ( Physignathus cocincinus )

The Green Water Dragon ( Physignathus cocincinus ) is a lizard of the family Agamidae ( Agamidae ). What has been described Physignathus cocincinus first time in 1829 by Cuvier. The green water dragon is sometimes referred to as Green Water Dragon or background Indian Water Dragon.

Description

Hatchlings measure from head to tail 13 to 15 centimeters in length, of which the head -body length has a ratio of five to seven centimeters. The females then grow to a total length of 80 centimeters zoom ( 20-25 cm snout-vent length), males are up to a meter long (of which 25-30 cm snout-vent length). The leaf, blue or olive green color ( just before the molt also brown) is interrupted by some cream bandings. The tail has dark at any age, wide strips that are wider towards the tip of the tail; the tail tip is often black. In addition, the tail is laterally flattened like a paddle, causing the water dragon can swim very fast. From the neck up to behind the tail, a dorsal crest moves.

Occurrence

Distribution area is Southeast Asia, where the species occurs from southern China to Vietnam. There she lives in the humid, tropical lowland rainforest. Most commonly they are found in densely vegetated, running or standing water.

Behavior and social structure

Water Dragons are very shy and often react to threats with panic-stricken flight. Since they usually bask on branches above waters, such as lizards and iguanas also sail, they can be even with smaller signs of danger from partially high altitude fall into the water, which allows a rapid escape. Such behaviors are typical of the water dragon. The animals love the water and have very good swimming and diving skills. Green water dragons live in small family groups and groups with one male and one to three females.

Pups eat largely of insects whereas adult specimens in addition to eating a vegetarian diet rodents, birds, fish, and large insects and other invertebrates. The fact that birds are part of the prey spectrum, Wasseragame owe their good climbing ability. In the water they are amazing nimble and agile, which makes them very successful fish hunters.

Reproduction

The female is being courted by the male. It may also lead to chases. If the female is ready to mate, it persists and the male is the so-called " neck bite" on. It bites the female 's neck crest. Then the pairing follows. A while later, the female builds a Nistgrube, which is about 10 to 20 inches deep, and lays up to 16 eggs from which the chicks hatch, depending on the external temperature conditions after 67-101 days.