Intellagama lesueurii howittii (Gippsland Water Dragon)

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Adult snout-vent length (SVL) = 200-250mm (males larger)

Tail (original) = about 250% of SVL

Total Length: 700-850mm

Average length of adult males is 730 mm (250 mm + 480 mm)

Note: females are smaller

The Gippsland Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) is Australia's largest dragon lizard, which may attain a length of about 1 metre, although this should be considered an exceptionally large specimen. It is a subspecies of Australian Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) and the one present in the ACT, with a healthy population at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. They are common in the Canberra region in rocky areas along major rivers and creeks. Localities include the Cotter River and Paddys River. They are also found in other areas of the Southern Tablelands with sightings along the Murrumbidgee River and the Numeralla River further south. They are the subspecies better adapted to colder areas, being found in high country like Kosciusko National Park, whereas the other subspecies Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii is found further north and generally closer to the coast, although the Gippsland Water Dragon can also be found on the coast, particularly along the south coast. The cut-off point along the coast is roughly the Shoalhaven River with the Eastern Water Dragon being found north of the river, although the Gippsland Water Dragon penetrates further north via the ranges, further suggesting that it is the more cold-adapted of the two subspecies.

Visually distinguishing the Gippsland Water Dragon from the Eastern Water Dragon is relatively easy, as long as their skin is reasonably clean and not stained from the water, as identification of the two subspecies depends largely on observable differences in colours and patterns.

The Gippsland Water Dragon may be distinguished by its green-blue colour, especially during the breeding season, when this overall colouration is quite distinct. Another key difference is the absence of a prominent dark stripe behind the eye in the Gippsland Water Dragon, which is characteristic of the Eastern Water Dragon. The gular region of the two subspecies is also quite different, with Intellagama l. howittii having orange-yellow streaked with darker striping, which is sometimes quite striking, particularly in mature males, whereas Intellagama l. lesueurii typically has a pale, unmarked throat that is sometimes immaculate white in mature males. The belly and chest of Intellagama l. howittii are also quite different to Intellagama l. lesueurii, usually being blackish green, especially in mature males, and the limbs are often quite dark, sometimes even black. Whereas in Intellagama l. lesueurii the chest and belly are usually bright to deep red, particularly in mature males. Intellagama l. lesueurii also have relatively strong dark transverse bars across the back, whereas these dark bars are often much reduced in the Gippsland Water Dragon.

Intellagama lesueurii howittii is listed in the following regions:

Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Southern Highlands | South Coast | Gippsland