Water Dragon

(Physignathus cocincinus)

Adult water dragons, especially males, can grow up to 100cm (3’) long and can live up to 20 years. They can live in colonial groups of one male with lots of females – more than one male will fight over the females and territory.

Origin and History

Water dragons are a tropical lizard from South East Asia – Vietnam and China especially. They are semi-aquatic but also arboreal, so require large branches for climbing and a high level of humidity.

Diet and Needs

In captivity, water dragons will readily eat brown and black (when adult) crickets, locusts and mealworms. If you can guarantee the area has not been treated with insecticides, any grassland can be swept for a selection of native insects such as grasshoppers, moths and hairless caterpillars.

Adults will take pinkies and fluffs once a week – ensure these are well defrosted. Crickets can be fed every day, but mealworms only once a week. All food must be dusted with a calcium and vitamin D₃ supplement such as Nutrobal to ensure healthy development of bones. A small amount of fruit and vegetation can be offered, but it should only make up about 10% of their diet. Fresh, clean water should be supplied daily.

Housing

It is recommended that a minimum 36” x 24” x 48” size vivarium is obtained to house your water dragon(s), but they will appreciate the maximum size you can give them. A basic layout is shown in the diagram. Within this set up, there must be:-

Heating: Daytime temperatures must reach 85 - 90^oF (29 - 33 ^oC) in the hot spots, with cool spots of to 80 - 85^oF (26 – 29^oC). This is achieved via spot bulbs, heat mats or infra-red ceramic bulbs at the hot-end of the vivarium. Temperatures of 75^oF (24 ^oC should be maintained at night using one of these methods, and a thermostat may be required for control. The water bowl must be placed in the cooler end of the vivarium.

Lighting: A UV-B bulb is essential to ensure that vitamin D₃ is correctly synthesised and the animal will maintain a strong skeleton. Use a Reptiglo 5.0 bulb, across the back of the vivarium, for 10 -12 hours per day as a simulation of natural day length.

Substrate and Decoration: Water dragons require a damp, humid rainforest habitat, which can be achieved via orchid bark as a base to the vivarium. Use wood, branches and cork bark to create basking areas and interest for climbing.

A large water bowl is required, or alternatively a small fish tank can be set up in the bottom of the tank. Another method could be to create a waterfall which will maintain the humidity levels.

Chinese Water Dragon enclosures should have quite high humidity of around 80%. This can be achieved bythe use of misters or foggers, but having a large volume of water at the bottom, and using a good quality soil substrate, as well as live plants, will also all help to increase the humidity levels. Humidity should be monitored with a hygrometer, ideally a digital one for accuracy.

Exercise

Chinese Water Dragons are an energetic pet and require a lot of space to move around.They need room to move both left and right, as well as climb up and down, like they would be doing naturally in the wild.Providing branches for them to climb up and a water pool will maintain their activity levels.

Enrichment

It is important to provide opportunities for natural behaviour in captivity. By providing live plants, vines and branches, it will ensure the viv feels and looks like a naturalistic environment for your Water Dragon and provides good exercise and mental stimulation. Decor can also be moved around every now and then to make it even more interesting for your dragon.

Maintenance

You will be require aclean environmentto thrive. We recommend a spot clean as often as possible (every day) and a full clean every 4 weeks or so. Water needs to be changed daily.

Common Health Problems

Mouth rot is one of the most common health problems and is typically the result of a secondary infection that isn’t treated properly, or an injury that goes untreated. Water dragons often rub or bang their head/nose/chin into the walls of the enclosure.This behaviour commonly causes rub sores that can lead to full mouth rot.

Metabolic Bone Disease, also known as MBD, is an extremely serious and often fatal disease for these animals. It is caused either by a lack of calcium in the dragon’s diet or inadequate exposure to UVB light.

When Chinese Water Dragons become stressed it’s easy for parasites to multiply beyond the capability of the dragon’s body to handle.

Bacterial and fungal infections are usually a result of a dirty, poorly maintained cage. They appear as dark-coloured patches on the skin that can be raised and/or filled with fluid.

Female dragons lay eggs even if they haven’t mated with males. Occasionally, a condition called dystocia or “egg binding,” may occur.

Temperament

Chinese water dragons are among one of the friendliest lizards out there friendlier even thaniguanas. They enjoy being handled and actually require regular handling to prevent them from becoming aggressive. If a Chinese water dragon feels threatened or is scared, it may lash out by biting and whipping its tail. They are arboreal lizards, meaning they like to climb in plants, on rocks, and in trees. They are also adept swimmers and are at their happiest when they have a source of water to dip into.

Another point to consider is that Chinese water dragons are communal animals and tend to do better when kept in pairs or in groups. Owning multiple dragons doesn’t require much more work or money than owning a single one.

Difference between Males and Females?

Males generally have more vivid colouring than females, including a bright orange to yellow area under the throat with pink tones near the lower jaw. Males also develop larger heads, jowls and crests on the back and neck, and their femoral pores are typically larger than a female's.