Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)

Short answers

Australian water dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

200 × 100 × 200 cm as the lower limit for a pair, better 250 × 150 cm floor area; at least a third of that as a swimmable water area.

Australian water dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 32–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Australian water dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 %).

Australian water dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–25 years, individual animals longer.

Australian water dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

32–40 °C

Humidity

60–80 % during the day, higher at night

UVB

Essential (10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

200 × 100 × 200 cm as the lower limit for a pair, better 250 × 150 cm floor area; at least a third of that as a swimmable water area

Substrate

Terrarium soil or forest floor plus a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: insects, fish, small vertebrates plus plant food and fruit

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~90–100 cm (males), females smaller

Life expectancy

20–25 years, individual animals longer

Origin

Eastern and southeastern Australia (coastal rivers and banks)

Protection status

— (no CITES; an Australian export ban, captive-bred animals only)

Brumation

A cooler overwintering period of several weeks up to 2 months. The western form (howittii) is more cold-adapted and needs the rest more clearly than the eastern form.

Cohabitation

A pair or group with one male; the males are territorial. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

Collective entry for both subspecies of Intellagama lesueurii. Care is nearly identical; the western form needs it a bit cooler and requires a more consistent winter rest.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate
• Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) – Intermediate
• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate
• Bent's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx benti) – Intermediate
• Bintang mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura bintangensis) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200 × 100 × 200 cm as the lower limit for a pair, better 250 × 150 cm floor area; at least a third of that as a swimmable water area), substrate (Terrarium soil or forest floor plus a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.