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A closer look at the Chinese Water Dragon. It was disturbing that there was hardly any water for the poor fellow barring a tiny tub in the enclosure. Adult males have larger, more triangular heads than females, and develop larger crests on the head, neck and tail, and are larger in general. 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 thermo-regulate 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 the animal from deep sleep from even slight changes in light from overhead.(Emirates Park Zoo, Samha, Abu Dhabi, Jan. 2015)