Although the lizard is shy, he can often be seen on logs and branches overhanging the water and many fishermen have been startled by the creatures dropping into the water from considerable heights. The lizards swim well and use this skill to avoid predators and also to catch their diet of frogs, smaller reptiles and yabbies. They also eat fruits and berries.

The lizards will usually attempt to escape detection but are really quite inquisitive and will often come up quite close to gaze at fishermen or quiet bushwalkers, They lift their heads up in a shuddering motion, very reminiscent of dinosaurs and tend to cock their head to one side to gaze at humans conducting their strange human activities. You have to admit, fishermen must look a little peculiar to the uninitiated.