Care Sheet for Water DragonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 3.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 05/29/2005 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Water Dragons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | MySnake&I |
Years Experience: | Under 1 Year |
Species: | Water Dragon |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | To sex your WD you should hold the WD on your palm with its face away from yours. Then lift the tail up. If there are 2 bumps by the vent then it’s usually a male. If there is 1 or less then it is probably a girl. Also females have smaller spikes and crests. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Use something like mulch or pellets. The lizards may eat their substrate so if they do get a substrate like cage carpet.
For water, you cannot rely on them to drink from their bowl so mist the tank daily. Provide a large deep bowl for soaking or drinking. |
Lighting and UVB: | Provide a UV light that is on for 10-12 hours a day. Make sure it gives off UVB rays for appropriate calcium absorption. For basking just have a regular 75- 100 watt bulb (depending on the size of your tank). I have a 55 gallon and 75 watts seems to do the job. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | The warm basking area should be anywhere from 90-100 degrees F. The cool side should be from 70-80 degrees F. Use an incandescent light or ceramic heater for your primary heat source.
Humidity should always be between 60-80%. To maintain the humidity you can do a number of things. The easiest is to mist the cage 2-3 times a day. Also, you can purchase a fogger or humidifier at your local pet store. Also, you can use certain moss for your substrate to help humidity. |
Heating and Equipment: | You may use certain heating pads under the cage. Make sure there is plenty of substrate between your WD and the glass. I do NOT recommend any type of heat rock. The WDs cannot feel their stomachs very well and may burn themselves. You CAN use a ceramic heater if you wish. |
Caging Provided: | I always think that the length of the cage should be twice as long as your dragon, but my WD is about a foot and length and I have a 4 ft length aquarium, because as juveniles they tend to grow fast, and can outgrow a small cage in a quick time. So to start out I suggest at least a 55 gallon or bigger. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Provide a variety of insects including, crickets, meal worms, and wax worms as a treat. Adult WDs will also eat thawed pinkie mice. Approximately 15% of diet should include dark and leafy greens, and fruits. Do NOT feed them broccoli or any acidic fruits. Make sure food is in small pieces so they can swallow it easier. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | 40% of their food should be powdered with calcium. I use a powder called REPTIVITE. It is very nutritious for your WD. Look at your local pet store for the best vitamins for your WD. |
Maintenance: | The tank should be cleaned once every 2 weeks. Remove all objects and clean with water. Also, put in new substrate. |
Some Words on this Species: | I think WDs are great starter pets. They are nice and kind and even interesting. Most of the time you can hold them without them running off. They will usually never bite unless they feel threatened. I hope you enjoy your WD. |
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