Chinese Water Dragon - Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center (2024)

FAQs

How hard is it to take care of a Chinese water dragon? ›

Caring for Chinese water dragons is not all that difficult but their needs are very specific (as are most reptile species'). They are arboreal lizards, meaning they climb and like to be up high. An ideal enclosure for one or more adult dragons would measure 6 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet deep and 4 to 6 feet long.

These lizards are one of the most friendly types. Typically, they do enjoy being handled. Regular handling is essential to prevent them from becoming too aggressive. If the Chinese water dragon is scared or feels threatened, they may bite or whip their tail.

An adult Chinese water dragon should live in a terrarium that's at least 55 gallons. Make sure the terrarium has a screened lid that fits tightly, so your pet can't escape. When your Chinese water dragon is less than 6 inches (15 cm) long, line the terrarium with reptile carpet.

On average, Chinese water dragons can live for 10 to 15 years, although in captivity they may live up to 20 years. Female Chinese water dragons usually lay six to 15 eggs at a time, and they hatch after 60 to 75 days.

Water dragons generally do not bite and rarely show aggression toward their human handlers. It is more common for a threatened dragon to give an open-mouthed threat display. Newly acquired dragons may be skittish and wiggly when handled. Despite their amenable temperaments, water dragons are not beginner reptiles.

Once they are used to your presence, they are generally tame and easily handled. While they occasionally fight among themselves or compete for superiority with cage mates, they are rarely aggressive toward human keepers.

Chinese water dragons are among one of the friendliest lizards out there—friendlier even than iguanas. 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.

Chinese water dragons are known for rubbing their faces against glass and causing damage to their nose and face. They are also prone to nutritional-secondary hyperparathyroidism, stomatitis (mouth rot), dysecdysis (difficulty shedding), respiratory infections, parasites, and reproductive disorders.

Captive male water dragons are very aggressive towards each other while females and juveniles are more tolerant.

Males should not be housed together, but multiple females or a pair could be housed in a 150 gallon tank. Water Dragons prefer a vertically oriented enclosure with plenty of climbing space. Provide a variety of branches in vertical and horizontal positions.

Can you house two Chinese water dragons together? ›

No, it is not recommended to house Chinese Water Dragons together. Although small groups of one male and two females have been successfully kept for temporary breeding purposes, the minimum enclosure size increases exponentially with each animal, which is not realistic for pet keepers.

Light and Heat Sources

Providing proper heat sources in a water dragon's habitat will allow the lizard to maintain their body temperature and stay healthy. An incandescent light or ceramic heater should be added to one end of a water dragon's tank to create a basking area for the lizard to use during the day.

Miller: Female Asian water dragons can reproduce sexually or asexually—with or without a male. This is called facultative parthenogenesis, and it comes in handy when an animal is trying to repopulate an area and cannot find a mate.

Fortunately, Chinese water dragons are not considered a social species and are generally quite content to live alone.

As water dragons age, they become more omnivorous. Many captive dragons will also eat fruits and vegetables, but produce should comprise only a small portion of the diet. Feed juveniles daily; feed adults every 2 to 3 days.

Water dragons are generally quite docile and mellow around people, especially if raised as a pet from an early age, but they are easily frightened and startled by loud noises or sudden movements. Wait until the dragon has become accustomed to your presence before starting to handle it on a regular basis.

Chinese Water Dragon enclosures should have quite high humidity of around 80%. This can be achieved by the 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.