How does media portrayal of the Water Dragon's elemental type contrast with the real lizard's adaptations?

Media implies control over liquids; reality shows terrestrial/arboreal adaptations.

The elemental typing assigned to the Water Dragon in media (like video games) imposes simplified archetypes, often suggesting control over liquids, innate cold resistance, or specialized aquatic abilities. This contrasts significantly with the actual biological reality of the Australian Water Dragon, which, despite utilizing water sources, primarily relies on terrestrial locomotion and arboreal skills, alongside physiological adaptations suited to its specific environment rather than fantastical elemental mastery. The media simplifies complex, multi-trait biological evolution into a neat, oppositional system for narrative or game balance.