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Australian Water Dragon,
Physignathus lesueurii
The Australian water dragon, Physignathus lesueurii, is an arboreal agamid species native to Eastern Australia from Victoria north to Queensland, there is also a small population in the South-East coast of the State of South Australia.
Australian water dragons have long powerful limbs and claws for swimming and climbing, and have a prominent nuchal and vertebral crest. (A nuchal crest is a central row of enlarged spikes at the base of the head. These spikes continue down the spine, getting smaller as they reach the base of the tail.)
Including their tails, which comprise about two-thirds of their total length, adult females grow to about 2 feet (60 centimetres) long, and adult males can grow slightly longer than 3 feet (one metre). Males show bolder coloration, with red chests and larger heads than females. Color is less distinct in juveniles.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !
Since it hibernates in winter and comes out in spring,
it will be considered a
kigo for SPRING.
They are more visible during the summer months, though, and like to hang around water even in the suburbs.
Anytime you would find them in the shade it is HOT, over 35 degrees ceslius.
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Water dragons are large diurnal arboreal agamid lizards in the genus Physignathus. There are two species, the Chinese water dragon Physignathus cocincinus, and the Australian water dragon Physignathus lesueurii (two sub-species).
They are sometimes kept as pets, especially P. cocincinus, though a full-grown male of that species will measure about three feet (1 meter) total length and thus requires a fairly large enclosure for proper care.
P. cocincinus is found throughout South-East Asia, in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and south China. These lizards are semi-aquatic, using their laterally-compressed tails to propel them when swimming. They are able to remain submerged for long periods of time. Like many lizards, water dragons have a parietal eye, a light-sensitive "third eye" located in the top of the head.Physignathus lesueurii males are easily distinguished from the females as they have a red coloured chest and belly, which is mostly visible when they lift their heads in defensive mode. Generally water dragons are usually shy creatures in the wild that may only make themselves known to the passer by from the sound of them dropping into a waterway. However, in breeding season, the mothers may become more aggressive in order to make themselves known to distract any potential predators from capturing her young. Juveniles are very sociable, playful creatures and are usually found in groups ranging from 3 - 8 young dragons.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !
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"The Japanese Water Dragon"
© by Lisa Hunt
Click image for more!
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at sunset
bowing reeds encounter
a water dragon
© Graham Nunn, Australia, 2006 Published in HaikuOz
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a water dragon
stationed under a shady tree
the heat haze waivers
Violette Rose-Jones
Australis, March 2009
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TANKA
accepting his fall,
the water dragon drifts *
with the current;
so, tonight I find myself
outside your door
*the eastern water dragon sometimes ventures into trees after insects. Being a bit of a clumsy climber, they frequently fall into streams if they venture too far out on the branches.
© Richard MacDonald, 1996
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More ecternal Reference: Water Dragon and Haiku
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... AUSTRALIAN SAIJIKI
Daruma Museum, Japan
[ . BACK to World Kigo Database . ]
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