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Many dragons have a reptilian appearance. It is therefore not surprising
to find reptiles named after dragons.
Australian Water
Dragon
See Leseur's Water Dragon
Black-Bearded
Dragon
The black-bearded dragon, Draco melanopogon, has black wings flecked
with yellow. It grows to about 20-25cm long. It is found from Malacca to
Sumatra and Borneo.
Related Types: Draco
Chinese
Water Dragon
The Chinese water dragon, Physignathus cocincinus, is also known as
the Oriental water dragon. It is green, with dark bands on the tail, and
grows to about 78cm long. It is found in China and Indonesia.
Related Types: Physignathus
Draco
Draco is a genus of reptiles, often refered to as the flying dragons.
All members of this genus have a wing-like flap of skin on either side of
their body. These flaps are supported by elongated rib bones. Species in
this genus live in tropical rainforests, and the flaps are used for gliding
from tree to tree. Members of this genus can glide very efficiently, and
lose little height over long distances. These reptiles stay in the trees
for most of their lives, though the female returns to the ground, to bury
her eggs in the soil.
There are 16 species of flying dragon. The following are described on this
page:
Black-Bearded Dragon; Five-Lined
Dragon; Flying Dragon; Indian
Dragon
Dragon
Lizardet
The dragon lizardet, Crocodilurus lacertinus, grows to approximately
50cm long. It is found in swamps, in Central America and northern parts of
South America. It appears to prefer eating fish and frogs (observations of
the Frankfurt Aquarium).
Five-Lined
Dragon
Five-lined dragons, Draco quinquefasciatus, grow to about 24-26cm
long. They have red wings, with dark stripes, and white spots.
Related Types: Draco
Flying
Dragon
Draco volans, the flying dragon, grows to about 19-22cm long. The
wings vary from yellow, to a reddish orange, and the underside is blue with
black spots. They are found in the Philippines, and from Malaysia to Indonesia.
Related Types: Draco
Indian
Dragon
Draco dussumieri, the Indian dragon, is found in southern India.
Related Types: Draco
Komodo
Dragon
The Komodo Dragon is a type of monitor lizard. It grows to about three meters
long. The Dragon has a shorter tail than most monitor lizards, so has a much
bigger body than another lizard of the same length. They live on the islands
of Komodo, Padar and Kintja, and the western part of Flores. An adult Dragon
will hunt animals such as goats and pigs. They have been know to attack people
but normally leave them alone. Humans are probably just too much bother to
hunt. Komodo dragons are capable swimmers.
Leseur's
Water Dragon
This water dragon, Physignathus leseurii, is also known as the Australian
water dragon. It is found in eastern Australia and New Guinea. These dragons
are very good at swimming, and females lay their eggs in burrows in the river
banks. Leseur's water dragons grow to about 50-90cm long. They are brown
with pale stripes.
Related Types: Physignathus
Physignathus
Members of the genus Physignathus are commonly called water dragons.
Despite their name, water dragons are also agile on the ground and in trees.
Many species have a crest on their neck and back, and sometimes their tail.
There are seven species of water dragon: one is found in south east Asia,
and the rest around Australia and Papua New Guinea. The following species
are described on this page:
Chinese Water Dragon; Leseur's Water
Dragon; P. gilberti
Physignathus
gilberti
Physignathus gilberti is found in northern Australia. It grows to
about 47cm long. it is mostly pale brown. Males have a black throat and white
lips.
Related Types: Physignathus
Water
Dragons
See Physignathus
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