Head to head
Eastern Water Dragon vs Chinese Water Dragon
Eastern Water Dragon
VS Chinese Water Dragon
The eastern water dragon of Australia and the Chinese water dragon of Southeast Asia are two large crested lizards that live beside water and dive in to escape.
| Eastern Water Dragon | Chinese Water Dragon | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Intellagama lesueurii | Physignathus cocincinus |
| Diet | Insects, small animals, fruit, and flowers | An opportunistic omnivore taking insects, spiders, worms, small fish, frogs, small reptiles, rodents, and nestling birds, along with some fruit and flowers |
| Escape | Dives into the water when alarmed and can stay submerged for an hour or more | Drops into the water and either swims away or lies still on the bottom for up to about 25 minutes |
| Appearance | A row of spines down its neck and back, a dark stripe behind each eye, and a long tail, with orange to red chests in mature males | A row of tall, soft spines from neck to back, larger in males, and a tail making up about two thirds of its length of up to a metre |
| Unusual feature | The sex of hatchlings depends on the temperature at which the eggs are incubated | A parietal eye on top of the head that detects light levels and helps it regulate basking |
| Habitat | Basks on rocks and logs beside rivers, creeks, and ponds, and is common in parks and gardens by water | Forest streams and rivers, sleeping on branches that overhang the water |
| Range | The east coast of Australia | Mainland Southeast Asia, from southern China through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand to eastern Myanmar |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Vulnerable, reassessed in 2018 after steep declines |
Eastern Water Dragon vs Chinese Water Dragon: common questions
Which water dragon is Vulnerable?
The Chinese water dragon, which was reassessed as Vulnerable in 2018 after steep declines in Vietnam and southern China.
How long can they stay underwater?
The eastern water dragon can stay submerged for an hour or more, while the Chinese water dragon can lie still on the bottom for up to about 25 minutes.
Which one's sex depends on temperature?
The eastern water dragon, in which the sex of the hatchlings depends on the temperature at which the eggs are incubated.