Bringing home a baby Chinese water dragon is an exciting experience! Their beautiful green and white coloration coupled with the spines running down their body make Chinese water dragons a unique pet reptile. However, caring for these exotic lizards takes quite a bit of special knowledge and preparation to keep them healthy and happy.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll provide everything you need to know to successfully raise your baby Chinese water dragon from an adorable juvenile into a graceful adult.
Baby Chinese Water Dragon Facts
Before diving into care let’s go over some quick facts about these amazing lizards
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Scientific Name: Physignathus cocincinus
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Native Habitat Tropical forests and streamsides of Southeast Asia
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Average Baby Size: 5 – 6 inches
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Average Adult Size: Up to 2 feet long for females and 2.5 feet for males
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Lifespan: 10 – 15 years with proper care
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Diet: Insects, vegetables, some fruit
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Temperament: Can be tamed but handling should be limited
These tree-dwelling lizards are a big commitment, but very rewarding display pets when cared for correctly. Their specialized needs mean they are better suited to dedicated reptile enthusiasts.
Housing Your Baby Chinese Water Dragon
An appropriate enclosure is essential for your baby water dragon to thrive. Here are the habitat specifications you need to follow:
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Minimum Enclosure Size: 55 – 75 gallon tank or equivalent for the first 6 months.
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Adult Enclosure Size: At least 4ft x 3ft x 6ft for an adult male, 3ft x 2ft x 5ft for a female.
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Front-Opening Design: Allows for easier access and less stress on your pet.
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Substrate: 3 – 4 inches of coco fiber or sphagnum moss. Helps hold humidity.
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Accessories: Sturdy climbing branches, live or artificial foliage, hides.
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Water Bowl: Large enough for your dragon to soak in. They enjoy swimming!
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Temperature: Warm side 90°F – 100°F, cool side 75°F – 85°F.
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Humidity: Maintain 60% – 80%. Mist the enclosure daily.
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Lighting: UVB lighting + basking lamp for 13 hours a day.
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Night Heat: Drop temperatures to 70°F – 75°F at night. A ceramic heat emitter works well.
Proper housing is vital since Chinese water dragons continue growing throughout life. Size up the enclosure as your pet grows!
Feeding Your Baby Chinese Water Dragon
Chinese water dragons are omnivores, but babies need lots of live insects in their diet for proper growth and development:
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Daily Insects (85% of diet): Crickets, roaches, worms, grasshoppers, silkworms.
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Vegetables (10% of diet): Collard greens, spring mix, bok choy, green beans.
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Fruit Treats (5%): Berries, melon, mango, figs.
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Supplements: Dust insects with calcium and multivitamin powder at every feeding.
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Adults: Can eat more greens and veggies (up to 30%), less insects (60%), and occasional pinky mice.
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Feeding Frequency: Offer food daily for babies under 6 months, every other day for juveniles, and every 2-3 days for adults.
Use feeding tweezers to prevent accidental ingestion of substrate. Remove uneaten insects within 30 minutes.
Caring for Your Baby Chinese Water Dragon
Raising a healthy, thriving Chinese water dragon takes attentive care and husbandry. Here are some top care tips:
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Allow 2 weeks of adjustment before trying to handle your new baby. Go slowly to build trust.
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Maintain proper heat and humidity levels in the habitat at all times. This is crucial!
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Mist the enclosure 1-2 times per day and provide a large soaking water bowl.
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Watch for signs of stress like decreased appetite, lethargy, or hiding. Address causes promptly.
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Handle gently and minimally, supporting the body fully. Limit handling to 15 minutes max.
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Check for stuck shed and give a soak or shallow bath if needed to help loosen skin.
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Monitor temperatures and humidity with high quality gauges. Improper levels can be dangerous.
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Schedule an exotic vet checkup within the first 2 weeks for a general health assessment.
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Disinfect the enclosure at least once a month to prevent bacterial or fungal growth.
With attentive care as described above, your baby Chinese water dragon will thrive and grow into a stunning, graceful adult! Be sure to do plenty of research and prepare in advance before bringing one of these exotic pets home.
Common Health Issues for Baby Chinese Water Dragons
Even with great care, pet reptiles can sometimes get sick. Here are some common health issues to look out for with your baby water dragon:
Metabolic Bone Disease: Caused by improper calcium or vitamin D3 intake. Symptoms include rubbery jaws, limpness, and bent legs. Ensure proper UVB exposure and supplements to avoid.
Respiratory Infections: Poor humidity or low temperatures can lead to wheezing, mucus, and labored breathing. Seek vet treatment promptly.
Parasites: Diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss. Have fecal tests done by an exotic vet to check for parasites.
Mouth Rot: Cheesy patches or ulcers in the mouth. Usually caused by abrasions, poor nutrition, or unsanitary conditions.
Eye Problems: Swelling, discharge or bubbles around eyes. Can indicate respiratory infection or vitamin A deficiency.
Monitor your pet closely each day and schedule a vet visit at the first sign of illness. Chinese water dragons often hide symptoms well, so early intervention is key!
Ready for Your Baby Chinese Water Dragon?
Caring for one of these incredible lizards takes time, money, research and dedication. But the reward of watching your baby water dragon grow into a beautiful, graceful adult is worth it all for the right reptile lover!
Be sure to invest in the proper habitat setup and accessories before bringing one home. And find an experienced exotic vet in your area that you can establish a relationship with.
If you’re ready for the commitment, a baby Chinese water dragon can make a fantastic pet reptile for years to come. Just be prepared to give them with the specialized care they need to live a long, healthy life!
Water Dragon Species Overview
Water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus, also known as Chinese or Asian water dragons) are bright green lizards native to the tropical rainforests of China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Water dragons are diurnal (more active during the day) and arboreal (“tree-dwelling”) reptiles that enjoy spending their days exploring trees. When humidity and temperatures change, water dragons can change color from green to brown.
Male and female water dragons are similar in appearance until they are about 15 inches in length. In adulthood, males are larger than females. It’s not advised to house male water dragons together as they will fight.
Females may occasionally fight, but it is OK to house one male with two to three females. If you don’t want your water dragons to breed, do not keep males and females together.
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Difficulty of Care |
Intermediate |
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Average Lifespan |
Up to 15 years with proper care |
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Average Adult Size |
2–3 feet from nose to tip of tail; males are larger than females |
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Diet |
Omnivorous |
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Minimum Habitat Size |
40-gallon breeder tank for juveniles; 540-gallon tank for a single adult |
If handled frequently as juveniles, water dragons can become quite personable and will remain social as long as the pet parent continues to interact with them daily.
Water dragons have long tails that account for almost 75% of their body length. Aside from helping the lizard balance itself while climbing, water dragons can whip their tail to fight off predators. They can also break off their tails when a predator grabs them. Pet parents should NEVER grab or pick up their water dragon by the tail.
All water dragons have a tiny, shiny scale on the top of their head, which is known as their “parietal eye.” This very important scale helps water dragons regulate their body temperature and detect differences in light.
Water dragons are easily frightened. To avoid startling them, avoid loud noises and quick movements. Never approach or try to pick up a water dragon from behind.
All reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmittable to humans). Pet parents should always wash their hands before and after handling their water dragon or their habitat’s contents.
How to Thaw Frozen Prey
To thaw frozen prey, take these steps:
- Remove the needed number of food items from the bag.
- Put the frozen food in a sealed plastic bag and place it in a thawing container filled with cold water. The thawing container should only be used for preparing your reptile’s frozen meals.
- Keep the food in the water until it thaws. Discard the cold water.
- Refill the thawing container with warm water.
- Place the thawed prey, still in the sealed plastic bag, in the warm water. Allow it to soak for 10–15 minutes before discarding the water.
- Just before feeding, run nearly hot water over the thawed food to warm it above room temperature.
- Remove the thawed food from the container and plastic bag.
- Using feeding tongs, offer the food to the pet right away.
Never use a microwave to thaw or warm frozen rodents, and never offer food thats still frozen to a pet. Frozen food that is not consumed should never be re-frozen for future use, as this encourages bacteria to form in the food.
Avoid preparing frozen rodents in the same area that used to prepare food for personal consumption. If this is unavoidable, be sure to disinfect the area thoroughly after use.
When giving vitamin supplements to water dragon, make sure to dust a water dragon’s insects with a powdered vitamin supplement. Water dragons need three vitamin supplements in their diet: a calcium supplement with vitamin D, a calcium supplement without vitamin D, and a multivitamin powder designed for reptiles.
Calcium supplements should be offered at least two to three times a week. Be sure to alternate the type of calcium supplement that’s given to your water dragon: use a powdered calcium supplement with vitamin D for one feeding session, and then use a calcium supplement without vitamin D the next.
A multivitamin powder should be used once a week.
To dust insects quickly and efficiently, place insects in a bag or disposable plastic container along with a powdered supplement. Then, shake the bag lightly until the insects are coated evenly in powder.
Recommended Products:
- Calcium Supplements with Vitamin D
- Calcium Supplements without Vitamin D
- Reptile Multivitamins
Fresh, clean water should always be available and replaced daily. Water dishes should be placed on the cool end of the habitat and must be large and shallow enough for the lizard to soak in if needed.
Chinese Water Dragon, The Best Pet Lizard?
FAQ
Do Chinese water dragons need a heat lamp?
Heating for Chinese Water Dragons
At night the temperature can drop down to 75-80F (23-26C). You will need a ceramic bulb heating your tank 24/7 to provide your night time temperatures and ambient, and then a basking bulb in the hot side of the tank to create your basking temperature.
Do Chinese water dragons like to be handled?
Chinese Water Dragon Behavior and Temperament
Typically, they do enjoy being handled. Regular handling is essential to prevent them from becoming too aggressive.
Are Chinese water dragons easy to take care of?
They can be handled, though tend to be skittish and will need taming, and feed on both vegetation and live insects. Although they are moderate in body size their tail adds a lot of length and they are very active, so require a large, arboreal enclosure that they can run around and actively climb in.
How do you take care of a baby water dragon?
As with most lizards your water dragon will require a good temperature gradient. 35 celsius at the warm end and 25 celsius or below at the cool end is ideal. If your tank is too cold your dragon will not eat and if too warm it can over heat and die. Infrared globes day lamps, and ceramic globes are all suitable.