Chinese water dragons resemble tiny iguanas and enjoy swimming quite a bit. They are favored reptiles as pets because they are small, but taking care of them is more challenging than many people think.
Chinese water dragons can be found in colors from deep green to a rather light tone. They feature green or turquoise stripes going up and down their bodies. Their underbelly is white or light yellow, and their throat displays a mix of yellow, orange, and peach. The long tail is slim and has green and brown stripes. Male adults have bigger heads in comparison to females and grow larger crests on the tops of their heads and necks.
Breed overview
COMMON NAMES: Chinese water dragon, water dragon, green dragon, Asian water dragon and Thai water dragon (not to be confused with the Australian water dragon)
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Physignathus cocincinus
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MAADULT RHYME: Adult males reach around 90 cm, while females have an average length of 70 cm; most of the total length is made up of the tail.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-15 years, although some have lived more than 20 years
DIFFICULTY OF TREATMENT: Advanced. These lizards have very specific care needs.
Chinese Water Dragon Behavior and Temperament
These lizards are one of the friendliest types. They usually love to be manipulated. Regular handling is essential to prevent them from becoming too aggressive.
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If the Chinese water dragon is scared or feels threatened, it may bite or flap its tail. They are quite active in their environment and love to climb rocks, trees, branches or plants. They are also good swimmers and are happy when there is water in their enclosure too.
Chinese water dragons are social animals. They tend to thrive in captivity when in pairs or groups. This is recommended, especially since it doesn’t take much more work (or expense) to own multiple water dragons.
Home of the Chinese Water Dragon
Aquatic dragons need large enclosures and the minimum size for an adult dragon is 180cm long, 60-90cm deep and 150-180cm high. An enclosure this size will likely need to be customized and will be expensive.
If you don’t know that your dragons have been carefully sexed, it may be best to keep one alone, even though it may be solitary.
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A male and female pair will probably get along well, while two males and even two females may show aggression unless they are given a lot of space in a very large enclosure. Large aquariums are often used, but they are not ideal.
For the internal substrate, choose something that will not cause harm if ingested. Sterilized potting soil (no vermiculite or chemicals), covered with moss (good for moisture), as well as a mixture of peat, soil and sand, cypress soil and mulch, indoor/outdoor carpet or paper.
Plenty of branches should be provided for climbing and beaching (place some diagonally and others horizontally for «stranding»). Live plants such as pothos, dracaena, hibiscus, ficus and staghorn ferns are a good addition.
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Humidity
In the environment, Chinese water dragons need a good water hole. It should be large and deep enough for a dragon to submerge it at least half its height. A cat litter box works well, but if you can, you should designate half the enclosure for water and the other half as a beach area (using substrates to create a shoreline).
You must be able to remove and clean the water bowl every day, especially if the dragon uses it to go to the bathroom. Otherwise, you will need a quality water filter. Humidity should be kept around 80%. Steam the wrap once or twice a day as needed. Live plants in pots can help maintain humidity.
Heat and lighting
Daytime temperatures should be between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius, with a resting point of up to 32 degrees Celsius. At night, the temperature can safely drop to 24-27 degrees Celsius. There should be a temperature gradient and be sure to measure temperatures on both the cold and hot sides.
To achieve this gradient you can use a combination of heating light, ceramic heating element, heat pads under the tank cover and heating tape. A UVA/UVB bulb should also be used to create a 12 hour on, 12 hour off schedule to replicate a day/night cycle.
Food and water
You can feed Chinese water dragons crickets, mealworms, wax worms, earthworms, grasshoppers, fat worms, grasshoppers and possibly small fish. Adults may also occasionally be fed small mice. Insects caught in the wild should be avoided due to the risk that they may contain pesticides and always avoid fireflies as they are potentially toxic.
A small amount (10-15% of the diet) of finely chopped fruit and vegetables can also be offered. Try dandelions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, green beans, carrots, and yellow or orange squash. Fruit should be used in smaller quantities than vegetables; you can give strawberries, raspberries, mango, papaya, figs and melons.
Young chicks and juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can usually be fed every two to three days. The best way to determine how much to feed is to observe the condition of the body: skinny dragons need more food, while chubby dragons need to be fed less.
Use a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement on food once every two feedings, along with a complete vitamin/mineral supplement once a week.
There are some common health problems found in Chinese water dragons, including:
- Mouth rot: This is the most common problem and the result of an infection or injury that is not properly treated. A water dragon will often rub or bang its head, nose, or chin against the walls of its enclosure. This behavior can cause sores that can lead to rot. Look for swelling around the mouth or open sores in the mouth or nose.
- Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This often fatal condition is caused by a lack of calcium in the dragon’s diet or inadequate exposure to UVB light.
- Skin Infections and Parasites: Skin infections occur on the outside of the body and are usually the result of a dirty, poorly maintained cage. Parasites occur inside the body. Both need to be diagnosed by a vet.
- Dystocia (or «egg binding»): Females lay eggs even if they have not mated with a male. Occasionally, the egg can become trapped in the body. Consult a veterinarian immediately if you notice that the female dragon has an egg embedded in her body.
Choose your Chinese water dragon
Purchase your pet from a reputable breeder or pet store.
If you are interested in aquatic dragons, read more
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