Would a.......

[lizardboy]

Would a screen "tank" work for a CWD? :-\

[rwagoner]

I would think it would be hard to keep an all screen enclosure humid as I've read chinese water dragons need 80% humidity. An aquarium with a screen top would be a better choice.

[Quig]

They are also pretty active. might do damage to the screen while climbing around. Or worse, get a toe nail snagged.

Quig

[dana51581]

i dunno too much about this stuff, but it doesn't sound like it would be a good idea...

[prism_wolf]

It definitely would not be a good idea. You need to be able to control the humidity and temps better than what a screened cage offers. An aquarium or custom made would be your only options.

[lizardboy]

I found a 80 gallon glass tank and theey are willing to trade for a 30 tall so Im gonna look into that :)

[dana51581]

just be careful and be sure to do a lot of research BEFORE getting a new creature for your collection. I'm sure some of the members of the forum could recommend some good books to help you.

[prism_wolf]

Here is actually a very good website, better than any of the books out there on WD care:
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com

The key to any good herp keeper is to learn one species very well before seeking out another. Trying to learn how to care for multiple species for the first time is asking for disaster. Tricia's website will give you excellent advice on total WD care...but experience plays a huge role in learning your species, too. Learn this one first! Then learn another BEFORE purchasing and have the home completely ready for it's arrival... ;)

I've rehabbed a near dead water dragon before and can tell you some things from personal experience...but the experience is limited to only several months care...but man did I learn a lot. Don't hesitate to ask questions on setting up lights (Uva and UVB), heat sources, food items, and little jacuzzis... 8)

[lizardboy]

I alredy have a water dragon and my friend wants one and I knew that he wasent going to belive my :)

[rwagoner]

I alredy have a water dragon and my friend wants one and I knew that he wasent going to belive my :)


Why wouldn't your friend believe you if you stated reasons why he shouldn't use an all screened enclosure?


I found a 80 gallon glass tank and theey are willing to trade for a 30 tall so Im gonna look into that :)


What is the 80gal tank going to be used for, or was that for your friend as well?

[lizardboy]

My friend like me needs to think things trough and well we dont really belive just one person we need facts :D
the 80 gal would be used for my cwd if I can get it

[rwagoner]

What type of water dragon do you have then?

[lizardboy]

I have a thia water dragon upon other names ;D

[c1rc4]

Have any pictures of him/her?

[lizardboy]

http://thumb4.webshots.net/t/58/558/8/87/14/2024887140101407924jWOsWr_th.jpghttp://thumb4.webshots.net/t/64/564/0/63/34/2111063340101407924WrgTku_th.jpg

[prism_wolf]

Very tiny... :o. Can you make them bigger?

You know...bark is pretty bad for lizards. Newspaper isn't nearly as pretty, but it's sure safer... ;D.

[lizardboy]

If it helps I put him in a feeding contaner so that he dosent eat the repti-bark.also how do you make pics bigger?How about that lion rock thats his fav thing on the ground.

[prism_wolf]

It helps... ;) You should have a larger picture on your computer. Just upload the original to your webshots album and use the link for the larger photo. I love the lion rock. I can practically see Simba on it...lol.

[lizardboy]

Because I have read about indegestion and that would suck because hes only a little one and I would feel bad not that I wouldnt feel bad if an adult died.

[rwagoner]

Use the "link to it" button and copy paste the code they provide for forum. Then you can click on the image to get the full size version.

http://thumb4.webshots.net/t/58/558/8/87/14/2024887140101407924jWOsWr_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2024887140101407924jWOsWr)

http://thumb4.webshots.net/t/64/564/0/63/34/2111063340101407924WrgTku_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2111063340101407924WrgTku)

[lizardboy]

Thanks rwagoner thats what I was thinking when I bought it. ;D

[prism_wolf]

Did you mean ingestion? You would be right about that...it causes impaction. In the last 3 months I know of two people who have had an animal die from the bark...but those two were not impaction fatalities. Both were water dragons chasing food and got the bark instead of the cricket. One died as the owner was typing asking for help while at the same time trying to get the bark out of the WDs mouth. It kept crumbling and the WD was more panicked taking the smaller crumbs in farther. The second went pretty much the same way. Reptibark crumbles easily making it even harder to get the stuff from the mouth of any animal. I'm glad you read about the dangers... ;D.

[lizardboy]

Yes thats what I ment and Im glad to, or I might be makeing that mistake right now.I dont know if its the same with other ig relitives (thats what I call him) but there siliva is stikie if u had enough u could probably be a BIG gecko. ;D

[prism_wolf]

Your WD looks pretty dark. This could be one of two things. It could be that it's warming up at the beginning of the day...which means it's cold...or it's later in the day and the basking temps need to be bumped up a bit. It's also a sign of illness, but it only looks a little thin...not really unhealthy. He could use a little weight...but that's easy if you give him plenty to eat. Silkworms are a great source of protein for a WD.

What are his/her basking area temps? Keeping the temps up are pretty important.

[lizardboy]

Its basking temps are 85F right now and the reson he was dark was that I woke him up :( and I moved him from HIs fav sleeping place and it was probly anoying to him

[prism_wolf]

That's a good ambient temp...but not warm enough for the basking area. Bump the basking area up to just over 90. You shouldn't have it any hotter than about 93 degrees. This is necessary for aiding in digestion. WDs can't digest the food right with temps any lower.

[dana51581]

This is great :) I only have geckos, and seth doesn't have a water dragon, so i haven't learned much about them at all. Its really great to be able to just follow along with the posts... lots of good info, prism_wolf! thanks!

I always tell my mom, that with all of seht's collection, I learn something new everyday :D

[prism_wolf]

lots of good info, prism_wolf! thanks!


Always glad to spread a little rainbow over the world... :D *snortle*chuckle*snarf* choke*giggle*

Seriously...don't take me too seriously there...lol.

[blueyes19]

My first water dragon came to me in one of those mesh cages. He had been living in it for a little over a year and for the summer here. In NC the humidity tends to be right for these guys so I didn't have that to worry about. I Recently got another Female water dragon and put them into a 135 gallon aquarium but unfortunatly my male drowned at the Females hind foot. I absolutely Love Water dragons!!!!! I think he looks great for a young dragon!!!

[lizardboy]

prism_wolf I will bump it up and blueyes19 I think I remember that didnt you post that on the form or am I nuts :)

[blueyes19]

Yeah, your right I posted about it...... :'( . I loved that guy and I had a hard time with Jade for a while. I love her now but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to completely forgive her, LOL.

[lizardboy]

Is yours an adult if so does it wiggle around when you pick it up if you do :)

[lizardboy]

Also the 80 gal she just went and bought :( one but better luck next time ;)

[blueyes19]

A little sometimes usually thought she just chills out pretty fast. When I adopted her from the rescue group she had been pulled from an animal shelter and they said she was around 3 or 4 so I don't really know her age besides that she is an adult. Poor thing has really really bad nose rub because she was in a Wire dog shelter cage. I think that her jaw was broken too in the progess but she is doing super now. I think the more you handle them the calmer they are going to get.

[lizardboy]

I know mine does the same thing except its a juvie