Meet Our Animals

Asian Water Dragon

Physignathus cocincinus

Names and Personal History:
Squiggles: Squiggles was placed for adoption on Craigslist. We contacted the owner and he donated her to the program. Squiggles is approximately three years old as of 2009.

Native Habitat:
Asian Water Dragons range throughout South-East Asia; however, most imported animals come from Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Laos, Burma and India.

Environment:
Asian Water Dragons' favored habitats are trees and bushes that grow next to permanent bodies of water. As their name suggests, they are completely at home in an aquatic environment.

Physical Characteristics:
Asian Water Dragons are strong swimmers and have specially adapted scales in their feet that are enlarged to help push them through the water. Their tales are slightly laterally compressed which also helps to propel them through the water like a paddle. They have the ability to change the color of their skin to help in both camouflauge and thermoregulation. For example, the darker in color they are the more warmth they can absorb.

Diet:
Asian Water Dragons are carnivorous, eating a variety of invertebrates such as crickets, beetles, and spiders. They will also gladly consume small lizards, rodents, and fish if they are able to catch them.