Distribution:- They are members of the Agamidae family (Agamas) and are generally found in areas such as Thailand, China, S.E. Asia, Indo-Australian, Archipelago and tropical rain forests.
Size:- Water dragons have a total length of about 90cm (3ft) the majority of which is tail. Maturity is usually reached by 2 to 3 years of age.
Diet:- Water dragons are mainly insectivorous animals. Foods eaten consist of arthropods, frogs, small lizards, birds, mealworms, wax worms, black field crickets (be aware that large black crickets can bite so any crickets that are not eaten should not be left in the enclosure for long periods of time or over night) , locusts, brown crickets, earthworms, fish, pink mice, and some fruit. However, they have a habit of only eating food which moves (alive). Wriggling the dead food sometimes works but not always. Unfortunately, not all of the above foods have a high nutritional content and many illnesses are due to an unfortified diet. You are responsible for what your pet eats. It's not you who suffers in the long term.
Heat source:- This can be either reflector (spot) lights in green, red or blue, ceramics or tubular heaters.
Wire mesh guards:- These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
Thermostat:- An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures within the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
Thermometers:- One should be placed each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
UV light source:- Reptisun 5.0UVB or Arcadia D3 lamp. These should be left on for 8 - 12 hours a day and replaced every 12 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.
Housing:- This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with a glass frontage and adequate ventilation. Hatchlings and small water dragons would require a vivarium measuring 45cm (18 inches) long by 30cm (12 inches) deep by 45cm (18 inches) high or in a small container which can be kept warm within a larger vivarium. An adult would require a vivarium measuring 1.2 meters (4ft) long by 60cm (2ft) deep by 1.2 meters (4ft) high. These measurements are to be used as a guideline only.
Hides:- These are essential to prevent stress and to allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots etc. all make excellent hides.
Water:- These animals in particular love to swim and dive into water. A large water bowl or small pool should be fitted into the base of the vivarium to enable the animal to use it when needed.
Temperature:- A basking area of a minimum of 30°C (86°F) and a maximum of 33°C (92°F). A background temperature ranging from 25 - 29°C (77 - 84°F).
Humidity:- 65 to 85 % with the occasional misting using tepid water.
Longevity:- Water dragons if kept under the right conditions and given the correct diet can live between 10 and 15 years with some exceeding this.
Substrate:- This can be anything from newspaper, brown paper, wood chippings, cork chippings or even Astro turf. Whatever you use, remember that it must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent contamination from disease.
Salmonella:- Many reptiles carry the naturally forming bacteria Salmonella. It must be stated however that salmonella bacteria can only be contracted by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal. Remember, you are just as likely to contract salmonella from your Sunday lunch, cream cake or dog so don't automatically assume that your water dragon is the only suspect!
This information is given as the opinion of Proteus Reptile Trust only.
Revised: March, 2001.
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