Chinese Water Dragon
From The Reptile File Wiki
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'''Family:''' Agamidae<br /> | '''Family:''' Agamidae<br /> | ||
'''Genus:''' Physignathus<br /> | '''Genus:''' Physignathus<br /> | ||
| - | '''Species:''' | + | '''Species:''' Cocincinus |
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
This care sheet can also be used for the Australian Water Dragon, Basilisks and Sailfin lizards. This care sheet concentrates specifically on Chinese water dragon care, however. There are some temperament differences with the other species. The Chinese water dragon is the most amiable of them all. This is an easy lizard to socialize and many even seem to ask to be let out for some interaction. | This care sheet can also be used for the Australian Water Dragon, Basilisks and Sailfin lizards. This care sheet concentrates specifically on Chinese water dragon care, however. There are some temperament differences with the other species. The Chinese water dragon is the most amiable of them all. This is an easy lizard to socialize and many even seem to ask to be let out for some interaction. | ||
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| + | [[Image:Chinese_Water_Dragon.jpg|thumb|left|Tatsu - Rehabbed by Author]] | ||
The Chinese water dragon is found in the Southeast Asian mainland. They’re mainly arboreal animals preferring trees and bushes. They’re also a diurnal animal which hunts during these daylight hours. | The Chinese water dragon is found in the Southeast Asian mainland. They’re mainly arboreal animals preferring trees and bushes. They’re also a diurnal animal which hunts during these daylight hours. | ||
=== Handling === | === Handling === | ||
| - | + | Chinese water dragons are usually very easy to handle once they settle into their surroundings. Don't rush things while teaching them to trust. They'll come around on their own and you don't often have to wait long. Just a matter of several weeks allowing a little more time for babies. Babies tend to be nervous since they're often on the bottom of the food chain, but as maturity comes on the calmer they become and you may be one of the lucky ones who earns that trust so well your water dragon looks forward to seeing you come to let it out for interaction. | |
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| + | Handling up to 20 minutes a day is a good start. Move slowly and where it can see you before going into it's home. If you come in from above then the shadow crossing the parietal eye located on the top of the head will see the shadow. This is a survival mechanism ingrained with the thought that this shadow could be a bird of prey coming in from overhead which often triggers the "flight response". You don't always have to interact in a hands on way. Maybe you just want to offer your water dragon a nice silkworm or waxworm from your hand once or twice a week. This will allow it to associate your hand with something good. Maybe just talking to it on a day will be all the time you have, but it's still interacting and it's learning your voice. | ||
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| + | Gentle and persistent "taming" sessions will win this interactive lizard over. | ||
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| + | --[[User:Prism wolf|Prism wolf]] 23:04, 25 February 2008 (EST) | ||
== Housing == | == Housing == | ||
=== Lighting === | === Lighting === | ||
| + | Basking lights are very easy and inexpensive if you stay away from the pet stores for this one. They need a photoperiod with daylight and nighttime as they would in their natural home. Instead of using the expensive "reptile basking lights", go to your local retail store and get a regular incandescent light bulb, such as what you would use for a lamp. | ||
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| + | Water Dragons should NOT have night heat unless their nighttime temps go below the lows as suggested. Their bodies need to regulate to lower temps in order for them to "rest and recharge" for the next day. | ||
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Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. You need no less than two 3' fluorescent UVB tubes or a merc vapor such as the Mega Ray. Short version - UVB helps the ig to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and renal failure. The brands to go with: | Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. You need no less than two 3' fluorescent UVB tubes or a merc vapor such as the Mega Ray. Short version - UVB helps the ig to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and renal failure. The brands to go with: | ||
=== Sexing === | === Sexing === | ||
The sex of young Chinese water dragons is impossible unless you get one DNA tested or probed by an experienced vet. Probing is invasive and can cause deadly results if done incorrectly. Usually you have to wait until maturity and the physical differences become apparent. This usually happens at about 18 months to 2 years. Even then it’s hard if you don’t have a comparison to look at…so search for some pictures and see if yours looks more like a female, or a male. | The sex of young Chinese water dragons is impossible unless you get one DNA tested or probed by an experienced vet. Probing is invasive and can cause deadly results if done incorrectly. Usually you have to wait until maturity and the physical differences become apparent. This usually happens at about 18 months to 2 years. Even then it’s hard if you don’t have a comparison to look at…so search for some pictures and see if yours looks more like a female, or a male. | ||
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| + | If you are experienced at louping, young dragons can be sexed as early as six months. Male water dragons will have glands located on the underside of each back leg. These look like large, brownish pores. | ||
== Conclusion == | == Conclusion == | ||
* Lizard Care from A to Z (Paperback) by Richard Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett | * Lizard Care from A to Z (Paperback) by Richard Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett | ||
* Green Water Dragons: Plus Sailfin Lizards & Basilisks (Advanced Vivarium Systems) by Jerry G. Walls | * Green Water Dragons: Plus Sailfin Lizards & Basilisks (Advanced Vivarium Systems) by Jerry G. Walls | ||
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| + | '''Many of these books can be found on Amazon for very reasonable prices. Use the Amazon link on the main forum pages and help to contribute to the upkeep of all that is good here.''' | ||
== Author == | == Author == | ||
