What is that Thing?

What do you see? © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2022

My photograph was taken in a restaurant garden.

Harmless
Common species
Grows to 45cm

Eastern Water Dragon

“Water Dragons are one of our most frequently encountered lizard species here in South East Queensland. They thrive just about anywhere, particularly around water sources of varied descriptions where they usually can be found in good numbers and they don’t mind the presence of people.”

“They feed primarily on small spiders and insects but will take other small vertebrates on occasion.” 

Source https://southeastsnakecatcher.com.au/lizard-identification-gold-coast/

This lizard stayed in position for over an hour and I was unsure if it was waiting for insects or it liked the warmth of the stone pagoda.

♥ Gretchen Bernet-Ward


MODEL OF FRILLED NECK LIZARD © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2022—Scientific name Chlamydosaurus kingii—Frilled Lizards inhabit dry woodland, usually with open shrubbery or grass understorey. Most of their time is spent off the ground in trees, often at a substantial height. They are well adapted to life in the hot tropics of north-western and northern Australia and the species also occurs in Papua New Guinea. The term ‘frilly lizard’ is often mistakenly applied to the common bearded dragon in the southern states of Australia. The Frilled Lizard eats mainly insects, spiders and other invertebrates. Their colour can be brown or grey with the frill being lighter and often tinged with orange or reddish-brown, and they can grow to around 45-90cm in length, about two-thirds of which is tail. It has a vivid yellow mouth and a large extendable frill gathered about the neck and under throat. The combination of the gaping mouth and the wide, brightly coloured frill provide an intimidating sight to any potential predator. It frequently runs at speed on two legs to escape danger, quickly climbing the nearest tree to safety. The image shows a clay model—https://reptilepark.com.au/animals/reptiles/dragons/frilled-neck-lizard/