Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) is a species of agamid lizard native to China and mainland Southeast Asia. It is also known as Asian water dragon, Thai water dragon, and green water dragon.

Chinese water dragons can grow up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in total length, including tail, and can live from ten to fifteen years. Coloration ranges from dark to light green, or sometimes purple with an orange stomach. Diagonal stripes of green or turquoise are found on the body, while the tail is banded from the middle to the end with green and white. Their undersides range from white, off white, very pale green, or pale yellow. But their throats are considered to be more attractive, which can be quite colorful (blue and purple, or peach), some with a single color, some with stripes. Adult males have larger, more triangular heads than females, and develop larger crests on the head, neck and tail, and are larger in general. The tail, slightly over two-thirds of the entire body length, can be used as a weapon, for balance, and to assist swimming.

Like many other reptiles the Chinese water dragon possesses a small, iridescent, photosensitive spot between their eyes referred to as the pineal eye (or parietal eye, or colloquially as the third eye) that is thought to help thermoregulate their bodies by sensing differences in light to assist with basking and seeking shelter after sunset. Since it recognizes differences in light, the parietal eye can also help the lizard avoid predation from birds and other aerial threats, and can awaken from deep sleep from even slight changes in light from overhead. These animals are very docile and allow physical activity.

EXIF Data

Camera Type: Canon PowerShot A610
Lens: 7.3-29.2mm f/0
Date Taken: 9/26/08
Aperture: f/4.1
Shutter Speed: 1/60
ISO: N/A
Exposure Mode: Automatic
Focal Length: 29.2 mm
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Evaluative
Light Source (In Camera): N/A
Flash: Red-eye reduction mode, auto mode
Light Source (External): Cloudy weather
Size: 215 KB
Location: 4361 Custis Avenue, Sacramento, California
Latitude: 38,32.7424N
Longitude: 121,29.8172W
Elevation: 7.70 m