"'Cocky John'" by salsbells69

'Cocky John'

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Artist's Description

Gippsland Water Dragon – Relative to the Eastern Water Dragon which is distinguishable by the black band running from its eye to ear. The Gippsland Water Dragon does not have this band. The Cann River locals call him a Çocky John’ so its stuck :) He chased me up the Thurra River Bank when I was going fishing for bream. Seems like he wanted the prawn when I offered it but preferred to eat the dandelion flower nearby! Taken at Thurra River – Croajingolong National Park. Gods Country..I wanna be back there. Editing by Neil Swenser. Thanks Neil :)
Description
The Gippsland Water Dragon is a large lizard. It is grey-green and brown with black banding on back and a row of spines from the crest of the head to the tail. The chest is olive green. Males often have patches or stripes of orange, blue and yellow on chest. It is a good swimmer and dives into the water when disturbed. It can remain submerged for around half an hour.

Size
Total length up to 80 cm including tail. Head and body length 20-25cm.

Habitat
Near creeks, river and lakes in forests, woodlands, grasslands and also parkland in urban areas. Usually seen on rocks logs or overhanging branches.

Food
insects, molluscs and crustaceans as well as small vertebrates including fish, hatchling tortoises and small mammals. Also eats fruit and berries.

Breeding
Clutches of 6-18 eggs are laid in burrows. The female digs a shallow nest about 10-15cm deep in a sunny open position in a sandy soil. The female lies above the burrow and deposits the eggs into the chamber below. She then back-fills the burrow by scraping the soil with her back legs and then packing it down with her snout. Loose debris is then scattered over the nest area.

Range
eastern Victoria and far south-eastern NSW

Notes
The Gippsland Water Dragon and Eastern Water Dragon are sub-species of the same species. The Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii) has a dark stripe from ear to eye, that the Gippsland Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii howittii) lacks. The Eastern Water Dragon male has a red flush on its chest and darker bands. The Gippsland Water Dragon male has an olive-grey chest, with patches or stripes of orange, blue and yellow.

Classification
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata (Sauria)
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Physignathus
Species: lesueurii howittii
Common Name: Gippsland Water Dragon

Relatives in same Genus
Eastern Water Dragon (P. lesueurii lesueurii)

Ozanimals.com Source of information

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All Products Tags

water lizard dragon camp john reptile cocky salsbells69 2010 croajingolong national park thurra river

Artwork Comments

dougie1page2 about 8 years ago

good one sal, what a poser!
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thanks Dougie …he was that indeed. Very obliging!
GerryMac about 8 years ago

excellent detail Sal! don’t want to get too close!
barnsis about 8 years ago

Great title, fits the attitude Excellent.
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thanks Byron! :))
Greta McLaughlin about 8 years ago

Great capture!
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thanks Greta!
WhiteDove Studio kj gordon about 8 years ago

prehistoric.careful wahini…………….
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thanks Kj! Prehistoric yes..he was gorgeous! And a great poser. Harmless little fellas. Probabably only a foot and a half long :))
Tainia Finlay about 8 years ago

I expected to see a parrot from the title LOL! Love his expression, great image :)
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thankyou Tainia! :))
Elaine Manley about 8 years ago

hehe too cute!
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thankyou Lu! Love the new avatar by the way..its gorgeous!
Richard Shakenovsky about 8 years ago

Like the detail in the head and eye. You may wish to consider cropping and getting rid of the green line cutting across the back. Well done.
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Hi Richard. Thought about it and am probably going to have a crack at doing that. Even though, I like the natural setting he was found in. And was probably just relying on the eye contact and head detail to make the shot. Thanks for the critique. Really appreciated. :D
Marlin1956 about 8 years ago

Looks super Sal, great job on the cropping.
salsbells69 about 8 years ago

Thanks FB. Really appreciate it :))
jimhoffman2 almost 8 years ago

Beautiful light and details!
salsbells69 almost 8 years ago

Thankyou very much Jim :))