Are Chinese water dragons hard to take care of?

Are Chinese water dragons hard to take care of?

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. Water dragons enjoy a humid environment, so maintain cage humidity at close to 80 percent.

How often should I feed my Chinese water dragon?

Feed juveniles daily; feed adults every 2 to 3 days. Feed Water dragons a variety of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, king mealworms, silkworms, and waxworms, as well as grasshoppers, roaches, and earthworms. Pinky mice and small fish may also be fed occasionally.

Do water dragons eat fruit?

Young green water dragons are primarily carnivorous reptiles that consume a variety of insects and rodents. 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.

How to tell if a Chinese water dragon has a respiratory infection?

Respiratory infection in Chinese water dragons is often caused by low tank temperatures, weakened immune system, constant high humidity levels or poor living conditions. Signs of a respiratory infection include bubbly mucus around the mouth, eyes or nose, loss of appetite and puffy appearance.

Why does my Chinese water dragon close its eyes?

If you are using loose substrate in the tank, it might get in your Chinese water dragon’s eyes. It can make your dragon close its eyes, but eyes can also get infected. Loose substrate, especially coco coir, mulch or soil, can cause this when sticking to your dragon.

When to take a Chinese water dragon to the vet?

If your Chinese water dragon is gaping a lot, breathing forcefully, being lethargic and not eating much – it could be suffering from a respiratory infection. Bubbles around the mouth and nose, popping sounds also indicate an infection. These signs would mean an advanced infection, so please take your Chinese water dragon to a vet immediately.

What does it mean when a Chinese water dragon is aggressive?

These behaviors often mean aggression and display of dominance. In groups of Chinese water dragons, there will be a dragon that shows dominance, hence displaying these behaviors. This can be a male displaying dominance in front of females, or even a female displaying dominance in front of other females and a male.

Respiratory infection in Chinese water dragons is often caused by low tank temperatures, weakened immune system, constant high humidity levels or poor living conditions. Signs of a respiratory infection include bubbly mucus around the mouth, eyes or nose, loss of appetite and puffy appearance.

Can a Chinese water dragon get cataracts?

However a word of warning. Reptiles have adapted to living with strong UV radiation from above. Placing the UV tube level or within 45 degrees of the eyes could damage it severely (photokeratoconjunctivitis or cataracts) symptoms include swelling of the eye and area around it or cloudy eye/s.

How big does a Chinese water dragon need to be?

Chinese Water Dragon Care Sheet. Minimum requirements for adult WATER DRAGONS of average size (90cm) 120cm x 60cm x 60cm (4ft x 2ft x 2ft) WOODEN VIVARIUM. UV LIGHTING 10-12% 2/3 LENGTH OF TANK. SPOT LIGHT (pref with thermostat) AND HEAT MAT 1/3 LENGTH OF TANK OR CERAMIC HEATING WITH THERMOSTAT FOR LARGER TANKS.

Is it safe to put UV tube on Chinese water dragon?

Placing the UV tube level or within 45 degrees of the eyes could damage it severely (photokeratoconjunctivitis or cataracts) symptoms include swelling of the eye and area around it or cloudy eye/s. This is thankfully not too common but it is better to be safe and not allow your animal to sit alongside or within a few inches of your tube.