Ruqayyah Snyder
The Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) is a semi-aquatic species of lizard native to eastern Australia, from Victoria to Queensland. It includes two subspecies: the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) and the Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii). The eastern water dragon lives along Australia's east coast, while the Gippsland water dragon is found further south. These lizards are extremely shy in the wild but can adapt to human presence in suburban areas. They are fast runners and strong climbers, and they are able to swim totally submerged. So, what do they eat?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insects, other reptiles, worms, frogs, small mammals, vegetation, flowers, berries, fruits, ants, spiders, crickets, caterpillars, small rodents, baby mice, crabs, yabbies, molluscs, eggs, fish, skinks, figs, lilly-pilly fruits |
| Dietary Needs | Hatchlings eat insects and need to eat every day. Prey larger than two-thirds of their head size can block their gut. Juveniles and adults need more fruits and vegetables. |
| Habitat | Trees near running water like rivers and streams |
| Behaviour | Social, shy, fast runners, strong climbers, swim totally submerged, brumate (hibernate) in winter, arm-waving and head-bobbing to communicate |
| Appearance | Long powerful limbs and claws, long muscular laterally-compressed tail, prominent nuchal and vertebral crests, bold coloration in males, larger heads in males, reddish underside in males, brownish scales in females and juveniles, yellowish-brown scales in males, black scales with pale spots on legs, white scales on face and cheeks, small black lines across the top of the body, pale brown underside in females, crimson red belly in males |
| Length | Up to 3 feet long |
| Weight | 1 to 1.3 kg |
| Lifespan | At least 16 years |
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What You'll Learn
Insects, reptiles, and small mammals
Insects form a significant part of the Australian eastern water dragon's diet, especially when they are younger. As juveniles, they eat small insects such as ants, spiders, crickets, and caterpillars. As they grow, they can tackle larger prey. Insects remain a staple in their diet even as adults.
Reptiles are also on the menu for these water dragons. They have been known to eat skinks, a type of small lizard, and even other water dragons. The main predators of eastern water dragons are also reptiles, including snakes such as the death adder or red-bellied black snake, and lizards such as the lace monitor.
Small mammals are also prey for adult Australian eastern water dragons. These include small rodents such as baby mice.
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Fruits, berries, and flowers
The diet of Australian water dragons depends on their age. As juveniles, they are completely insectivorous, feeding on small insects such as ants, spiders, crickets, and caterpillars. As they grow, they become more omnivorous, with vegetable matter gradually making up almost half of their diet. Fruits, berries, and flowers are an important part of the diet of adult Australian water dragons.
Australian water dragons forage for food in various places, including the ground, trees, and water. They are native to eastern Australia, and their habitat ranges from tropical rainforests to alpine streams. They are often found in urban areas, as long as there is a water source nearby.
Eastern water dragons, a subspecies of Australian water dragons, primarily feed on vegetation and invertebrates. They have been observed feeding on insects such as ants and arboreal invertebrates like cicadas. They also consume fruits and flowers, although it is unclear how much of their diet these make up.
Australian water dragons are social creatures and live in groups with one male and several females. They are very sensitive to temperature and require enclosures with a temperature range of 68-95°F (20-35°C).
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Crabs, crayfish, and fish
Australian water dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They have a varied diet that includes crabs, crayfish, and fish, as well as other small animals and insects. They forage for food in different places, including the ground, trees, and water.
Crabs are a common food source for Australian water dragons, especially in salty intertidal zones where they can also find algae. They are skilled at searching for food in various places and will take advantage of whatever food sources are available in their environment.
Crayfish are another aquatic food source for these semi-aquatic lizards. They are able to swim with their powerful tails and can stay submerged in water for up to 90 minutes, making them well-adapted to hunting for crayfish and other prey in the water.
Fish are also occasionally eaten by Australian water dragons, although it is not clear how common this is. They may find fish in the same bodies of water where they search for crabs and crayfish. While fish can become food for water dragons in captivity, in the wild, it may be difficult for them to catch fast-moving fish, so this may be a rare occurrence.
The diet of Australian water dragons changes as they grow. Juveniles tend to feed on insects, and as they get bigger, they can hunt larger prey. This includes small rodents, reptiles, and other animals, in addition to the crabs, crayfish, and fish that they may eat as a source of protein in their diet.
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Spiders, ants, and caterpillars
Spiders are a good source of protein for the dragons and help them get their required vitamins and minerals. Spiders are also a common food item for other lizard species, such as geckos and chameleons.
Ants are another important part of the dragon's diet. They are a good source of nutrition for the lizards and can be found in abundance in the wild. Ants are also a common food item for other insects and arachnids, so they are a natural part of the food chain.
Caterpillars are also consumed by the dragons, especially when they are juveniles or yearlings. Like spiders and ants, caterpillars are a good source of protein and other nutrients for the lizards. They are also a common food item for other insectivorous animals, such as birds and spiders.
In addition to these three food items, juvenile Australian eastern water dragons also eat small insects like crickets. As they get bigger, their diet expands to include small rodents, reptiles, frogs, fish, crabs, yabbies, molluscs, worms, and eggs. They also consume vegetation, including figs, lilly-pilly fruits, berries, and other fruits and flowers.
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Diets of hatchlings and adults
Australian Eastern Water Dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet depends on their age. Hatchlings primarily eat insects, and they need to eat every day. Prey larger than two-thirds of their head size can block their gut, so their food must be kept small. They also need supplements and access to fresh drinking water.
As they grow, Australian Eastern Water Dragons gradually become more omnivorous, with vegetable matter making up almost half of their diet. Insects are still the most commonly consumed food group for juveniles and adults, with spiders, ants, crickets, and caterpillars being common meals.
When they reach adulthood, Australian Eastern Water Dragons increase the size of their prey. An adult diet includes small rodents, such as baby mice, other reptiles, frogs, fish, crabs, yabbies, molluscs, and worms. They also eat more fruits and vegetables than hatchlings and juveniles, including figs, lilly-pilly fruits, berries, and other fruits and flowers.
In the wild, Australian Eastern Water Dragons have been observed feeding on insects on the ground and foraging for arboreal invertebrates in the branches of trees. They are known to eat ants, cicadas, crabs, crayfish, and occasionally fish and skinks, a type of small lizard.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian eastern water dragons are omnivores. Their diet includes a variety of insects, other reptiles, worms, frogs, small mammals, vegetation, flowers, and berries.
Juveniles and yearlings tend to feed on small insects such as ants, spiders, crickets, and caterpillars.
Adult Australian eastern water dragons include small rodents such as baby mice in their diet, but insects remain the most commonly consumed food item.
