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Chinese Water Dragons (Physignathus cocincinus)
Water dragons are among the largest members of the Old World family Agamidae.
SIZE: Males usually reach 3 feet in total length. Females are typically slightly smaller. The tail is twice the length measured from snout to vent. The body is laterally compressed, which is typical in most semi-arboreal and predominantly arboreal reptiles.
DESCRIPTION: Males have a well defined dorsal crest. With sexing water dragons, males typically have enlarged jowls and much more distinct dorsal, nuchal, and caudal crests. Femoral pores of adult males are also much larger than in females.
HOME: from Southeast Asia to Indo-Australian archipelago
FOOD: A water dragon diet should be as varied as possible including arthropods, fruit, vegetable, pinky mice, and other appropriately sized rodents. Most dragons can be successfully maintained on crickets and large rat pinkies. A powdered vitamin along with calcium (such as Necton-rep and Osteoform) should be given once a week. Hatchlings and juveniles should be offered food every two days. Sub-adult and adults should be fed every four to five days.
VIVARIUM: Water dragons need a spacious vivarium with a large water container. The water container needs to be big enough to soak at least 50% of their body. Typically, they will defecate in water, so substrate rarely needs to be replaced. Water, however, should be replaced every other day. Temperatures of 84 to 88 degrees F. during the day and 75 to 80 degrees F. at night is usually adequate. Full spectrum bulbs such as Vitalite are recommended but not required. The full spectrum bulb will provide more of a psychological benefit than a D-3 synthesis need. A basking area should be provided not exceeding 90 degrees F.
BREEDING: If maintained properly, water dragons will readily breed in captivity. Before breeding is attempted, the animals should be at least two years of age and two feet in total length.
To replicate the breeding season: * Lighting should be reduced to ten hours a day for two months in late fall - early winter. * Temperature should be reduced to 75 to 78 degrees F. with a basking area that does not exceed 84 degrees F. * Night time temperatures should be reduced to 68 to 74 degrees F.
A gravid female usually prefers small food items such as fuzzies and hoppers. Eggs are laid approximately two months after breeding. Incubation temperature for eggs is 84 to 86 degrees F. Eggs start hatching after about 65 days. All eggs should hatch over a period of 24 to 48 hours.
Source: Dexter, Matt "Chinese Water Dragons (Physignathus cocincinus)." Newsletter of the Great Lakes Herpetological Society, 1993.
