Care Sheet for Water DragonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/23/2007 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Water Dragons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Anonymous |
Years Experience: | 1 to 2 Years |
Species: | Chinese or asian water dragons |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Sexing water dragons can sometimes be difficult to do. usually cant tell until they are about 16-18 inches or longer nose to tip. the males have two large femoral bumps with ridges on the inside of both thighs, the females don’t. the males also have 2 noticeable bumps under tail close to the vent (turn your little one around and lift up the tail, not too much, and you should see these right before the vent if its a male. the females only have 1 and sometimes none.
the physical appearance is a little easier to tell them apart as they get older. the head is wider, larger than a female’s and the males have larger spikes going down the back and the female has smaller ones. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | There are several different types of substrates you can use and some you should stay away from. DO NOT use sand or small pebbles. this will cause impaction.
some good substrates are: repticarpet, non-adhesive tiles, indoor/outdoor carpet (cheaper than repticarpet), bed-a-beast is also good, paper towels for younger dragons. |
Lighting and UVB: | Lighting should be as followed: UVB is a must for their bodies
to absorb calcium. 5.0 usually. on 12 hrs/off 12 hrs. a basking light of 60 watts or higher (depending on size of enclosure) should be placed 6 inches from their favorite basking spot. a nightlight may be needed in winter if temps are hard to keep up. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temps should run about 90 under the basking light with a warm side of 85 and a cool side of 75-80 deg during the day and around 70 at night. sometimes you may need a black light to keep this up at night.
humidity should run between 50-80%. they are used to moist conditions, so this is very important to keep them from dehydrating, as they do not drink from standing water, they do need to be misted several times a day. some people use foggers or humidifiers to keep up humidity. |
Heating and Equipment: | I would not use heat rocks, as they could severely burn your dragon. ceramic heaters are used often and are good. i use a 75 watt bulb for the overall heating and a 60 for the basking spot. during the winter i use a 60 watt night light.
you can use the reptiglos or i use regular light bulbs-they work the same. |
Caging Provided: | I built my own enclosure, because it was much cheaper...and more fun to do. its made out of wood and plexiglass. pine is not good...it is toxic to water dragons! you can use about anything you want, though, it must be sealed so it doesn’t mold or rot. several coats are needed to keep this from happening. sand down any rough edges. the enclosure should be at least 75 gallons. mine is 217 gallons approx. also, the taller the better, as they are arboreal and live at the tops of trees, only to come down to hunt and bathe. my cage is 48 in tall and 32 inches square otherwise. i provided lots of branches and vines for him to climb on. i also put in shelves for him to rest on (he loves these). i put a hammock in also. i have a cat litter box with rocks and greenery in it for him to swim in. they also poo in their water, which makes maintaining a little easier. and, finally, i lined the sides with a shower curtain to hold more heat and humidity and then shelf liners so he can climb the walls. |
Diet: | N/A |
Description of Diet: | They are insectivores. their main diet or staple consists of crickets, cockroaches, superworms, butterworms, earthworms, grasshoppers.
some treats are mealworms, waxworms, pinkies. too many of these will make your dragon fat, though.
some have been known to eat some veggies: collard greens, mustard greens. fruits, such as, strawberries, raspberries, and bananas are ok. no spinach this will bind calcium. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Dust food with calcium with vit D3 a couple times a week
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Maintenance: | Clean water out every day to keep bacteria down. use 1 pt bleach to 9 pt water to clean pool and everything inside the pool, then rinse well. never use any type of cleaner or soap...this is toxic to water dragons. wipe clean any messes with plain water. |
Some Words on this Species: | Water dragons can be the cutest, coolest and most rewarding pet, as long as you know what your getting into. maintenance is high, as well as the vet bill sometimes. do not get one on a whim, you’ll end up getting rid of it if your not ready for the high cost. they take a lot of care, but are worth it. Ive had 2 water dragons and loved both very much. make sure you hold them and tell them you love them and they will be happy. |
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