Water dragons are native to the Southeast Asian mainland and Indo-Australian archipelago. Most imports arrive from Thailand or southern China. Males grow to around 3 feet and females a little smaller. Males develop larger heads, jowls and crest on the back of the neck, and their femoral pores are somewhat larger than on the female. Always have new animals checked by a vet for internal and external parasites (bring a fresh fecal sample if you can - or get one to the vet at the soonest opportunity), hydration, nutritional status and overall health.
Habitat: You will need a pretty large enclosure (one that you think will be big enough for a lizard that size). It will probably need to be about twice the size of the lizard. That is about 6 feet when the lizard is full grown. Why you need a enclosure so big is the animals can hurt themselves when they try to get out (That is when you have a small enclosure).Mixture of 2/3 peat soil + 1/3 clean sand with areas of bark. Can also keep on fake Astroturf. They have very active digestive systems so there will be lots of messy poop (So get ready to clean). You will also have to put branches into their habitat, placed on the diagonal for climbing, horizontal for roosting.They love plants so you will have to put in some live or fake plants (Prefurrably live). Suggestions for suitable live plants include dragon plants (Dracaena), pothos (Scindapsus aureus), Ficus benjamina trees, Monstera deliciosa (philodendron) and staghorn ferns. Plants will need to be replaced as they are shredded by claws or eaten.The temperature of their tanks should be at 84-88 in the daytime dropping to 75-80 at night. Use thermometers! No hot rocks - use overhead basking lights and an under-tank heat pad or one under the indoor/outdoor carpeting substrate. They must have water available at all times for full body immersions up to at least 1/2 their height. Must be cleaned and disinfected daily...two days okay if they don't poop in it! If they dive into their water from a shelf or branch, you need to make the tub deeper so they do not injure themselves.
Diet: Babys need about 2-3 crickets every 2 days or more often if they look hungary. And also offer fresh veggies (they love them). And for adults.Small mice, 4 week old crickets, kingworms, as well as plant matter. Feed every 2-3 days - or oftener if they look hungry. Also feed plant matter, such as greens and fruits. Hope that is enough information if any questions please post them on our questions page.
