Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Chinese
Water Dragon, Australian Water Dragon
Latin
name:
Physignathus cocincinus, P. lesueurii
Native
to:
Indo-Australia
and Southeast Asia
Size:
Adult
males can reach up to three feet in length. Females are slightly smaller.
Life
span:
Water
dragons have lived to more than 18 years in captivity
General
appearance:
The
Chinese water dragon (P. cocincinus)
is generally green with vertical slanted stripes that run across the body and a
white or yellow belly. These water dragons also possess colorful throats that
can range in color from a pale yellow to peach or even pink. One of the most
distinctive features are the well developed nuchal crests. The spikes are
generally larger in males than in females. Males also possess prominent
mid-sagittal crests. The Australian water dragon (P. lesueurii) has the same body shape as its Chinese cousin. It is
mostly brown in color. The head is lighter in color with a bar extending
past the eye. In females the head is slightly darker and lacks the contrast
that males possess. Males also typically have a larger head and crest. The crest
runs from the base of the head down to the end of the tail. The body also is marked
with bands of light colored bands, giving and overall general banded look to
the lizard. The throat and belly of the males is red while these areas are generally
white or cream in females.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
Young
water dragons can start in a 10-gallon tank but will quickly outgrow this
enclosure. Adult water dragons should be kept in an enclosure that is at least
4 feet by 3 feet. The larger the enclosure the better since too small of an
enclosure can cause the water dragon to rub its snout
until
a bacterial infection occurs.
Temperature:
Temperatures
should be kept at 84° - 88° F during the day with a basking temperature of 90°
to 95° F. Nighttime temperatures should be kept at 75° - 80° F.
Heat/Light:
Water
dragons require UVA and UVB light. This can be provided with various available
fluorescent bulbs commercially available. The ambient temperature can be
maintained with basking bulbs, infrared bulbs or ceramic emitters. There are
now active UV bulbs now available on the market that also proved UVA/UVB light
as well as heat.
Substrate:
A
variety of substrates can be used for water dragons. Sterilized potting soil
can make for a very nice naturalistic enclosure but can be messy. Newspaper,
paper towels, and indoor-outdoor carpeting can also be used and are easier to
maintain. Cedar and pine wood shavings should be
avoided due to toxicity concerns.
Environment:
As
their name suggests, water dragons should have ready access to a pool of water
for soaking and swimming. These lizards also require high humidity and the
enclosure should be maintained at 60% - 80% relative humidity. This will often
require regular misting of the enclosure. Planted non-toxic plants in the
enclosure can also help maintain the humidity levels required.
Diet:
Water
dragons are omnivorous. They can be fed crickets, mealworms, super worms,
earthworms, mice, comets (common feeder goldfish), and day-old chicks. In
addition to this they also require some greens and can be offered shredded
romaine lettuce as well as other various greens such as mustard, dandelion and
collard. Other vegetables such as yellow squash, sweet potato, parsnips, green
beans and carrots can also be given. Some fruit such as strawberry, raspberry,
blueberry banana, and various melons can also be provided.
Maintenance:
The
water in the enclosure should be changed daily unless a filtration system is
used. If using filtration, a weekly water change should be performed. The
enclosure should be spot cleaned daily and disinfected weekly. If using
indoor/outdoor carpeting it is recommended to have at least two sets for ease
of cleaning. This will allow you to simply swap the clean carpeting for the
soiled so you
may clean it. A 5% bleach solution is an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to
thoroughly rinse the enclosure and carpeting before placing the dragon back.
Other
references or recommended reading:
de
Vosjoli, Phillepe. Water Dragons, Sailfin Lizards and Basilisks. Lakeside, CA: AVS,
1992.
Mader,
Douglas. “Water Dragons: Wet N’ Wild.” Reptiles USA 2002 Annual:112-119.
Power,
Tricia. “Chinese Water Dragon FAQ.” Updated: 19 Feb 2001. Retrieved: 18 Jan
2002. <http://www.icomm.ca/~dragon/faq.htm>