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Care of The Chinese Water Dragon
I have written this care guide specifically for Chinese water dragons but there are a few other species that are very similar in care. The Australian water dragon, Sailfin lizards, and most species of Basilisks can be kept in a similar fashion as those described in this document. What is a water dragon? Physignathus lesueurii- Australian Water Dragon Please note that this document will contain only information pertaining to the keeping of the Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) from this point onward. The care of the Australian water dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) is apparently similar to that of the Chinese water dragon. There is at least one other species classed in the genus Physignathus, and that is Physignathus temporalis, but I have been told that both lesueurii and temporalis will be re-classed in the near future. Size and Description: Adult males are approx. 3 feet (92 cm) total length, adult females are approx. 2 feet (61 cm) total length. The tail of these lizards, from my observations, appears to make up approximately 70% - 75% of the water dragons total length. The tail is laterally flattened, banded brown and green, and ends in a fine point. Dragons use their tails for balance and leverage when climbing, and can use them to whip would be attackers, predators, and, or keepers. :) Adult water dragons are, of course, green with colours ranging from a dark forest green to a light mint green. The lower body of adult dragons is generally white or very light yellow. Vertical, slanted stripes run along the sides of the water dragons body. These stripes can range in colour from a pale green , mint green, to an aqua or turquoise colour. The throats of juvenile and adult water dragons can also be quite colourful, with throat colours ranging from a very pale yellow, to orange, to peach, and bright pink. The head has a triangular shape, and on adult male dragons the head will become quite large and wide. Large, rounded, white scales run just below the mouth area and end in one or two larger pointed scales where the head and neck meet. The tongues of water dragons are similar in shape to our tongues, in that they are thick and wide, but their tongues end in a very small fork. The tongue has a sticky surface that helps them to catch and hold their prey. Their teeth are small and pointed- the better to eat a omnivorous diet- and can draw blood if a dragon were to bite their keeper (luckily most dragons are even tempered and rarely bite their keepers). A dark stripe runs from the lower corner of the eye and extends out toward the ear . A very small (1-2mm) round shiny spot located at the top of the head, between their eyes, is known as the parietal eye or the third eye. The parietal eye is thought to help water dragons, as well as a number of other reptiles, sense differences in light. It is believed that they use their third eye to help them thermoregulate. For example, it may help them to decide upon a good basking spot, or it may help them sense that light levels are decreasing and that they had better find shelter for the night. Water dragons have well developed nuchal crests, but they are often higher, and have longer spikes on male dragons. Males also have prominent mid-sagittal crests. Water dragons have well developed legs. The front legs are generally much more slender than the back legs. The front legs, and strong 5 toed front claws, are used to climb and grasp branches. The muscular back legs are used to aid in climbing and swimming, as well as jumping or leaping from object to object! Water dragons can run bipedally, that is on their hind legs, and this is quite a sight to see, indeed! Their hind feet are 5 toed as well, with the middle toe being the longest toe. Their claws are long and thick and end in sharp needle like points. A recent article stated that water dragons are able to change their colours. While that is true to some extent, this article makes water dragons seem almost chameleon like in that ability, and this just isn't so. I have found that a warm, happy and healthy water dragon will most often be a nice bright shade of green, and this green will change shades only slightly if the dragon is content. A cold, sick, stressed, or frightened dragon will have a greater colour range from almost black to pale green. So if your dragon is in one of the latter colour ranges most of the time please take note of it because it is likely to be either cold, ill, or badly stressed. Habitat: After viewing this information go on to visit Chinese Water Dragons in Vietnam- Natural Environment and learn more about sightings of water dragons in the wild! Life span: Sexing: I've just completed a page on Sexing your water dragon- Do I have a male or female, which contains much more descriptive details about the differences in sexual characteristics than in this section. Check it out! Thinking About a mate for your dragon: I think it is best for new water dragon owners to begin with one lizard at first, unless you can get a guarantee that the company you are buying from will accurately sex a male and female lizard for you, if that's what you want of course. Keep your one Dragon for a while, get to know it, let it adjust, and then get it a mate. You will learn more from your first dragon, and make fewer mistakes with your second! :) Be advised, when you get your second dragon have a fecal (stool) test done for parasites (do this with your first too) before putting it in with your first dragon. Also check both dragons carefully for mites- they are hard to get rid of and you don't want to have an infestation. It's good to quarantine new animals for a month or more until you are sure they are healthy before putting them in with others. Please see New Reptile- Quarantine, and signs of Illness. Prior to putting your new dragon in with your first one, take the time to introduce them for short periods, supervise the visits, watch for fighting, aggressive behaviour, and stress. In time they should get along fine, but it will be less stressful on them and on yourselves if you do it slowly. |