what is this eastern water dragon doing?

[Ceilsmate]

I have had an Eastern Water Dragon in my back yard for a couple of years and have watched him grow from a baby. I have seen a female here once and just saw another baby a few weeks ago. My ' big boy ' is behaving rather strange now. He is spending nearly all day behind painting just outside my kitchen window

As weather gets cooler he is there more often and doesn't seem to mind the kids and I lifting the painting and peering at him a lot. He has been there for at least the last 24 - 48 hours
What is he doing?

 

[phatty]

sleeping/ brumation

 

[Ceilsmate]

I thought so Thanks! Should we stop lifting the painting
It doesn't seem to be safest place for brumation but he can leave if he wants to.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Probably not a bad spot if he's safe from interference from people & animals. Water dragons can operate at cooler temps than many lizards, so that spot may well be warm on sunny winter days and allow him to come out & bask. Many herps that live in & around water a lot of the time bask in winter sun - red bellies, tigers, pythons and dragons can all get a couple of hours of sun on a winter morning or arvo...

Jamie

 

[Ceilsmate]

Sorry for all the questions but have never had reptiles before...
As far as I can tell the only/closest water around here is a pool in the back neighbors yard and at creek/drain about 10 houses up from my place? he doesn't seem to leave the yard though. Don't they need water?