Did you know a Chinese Water Dragon can live up to 15 years in the wild?
Here, we’ll explain their environmental preferences, recommended enclosure size and accessories, and extra information to help you care for your Chinese Water Dragon.
Chinese water dragons are unique and fascinating lizards that make great pets for experienced reptile owners. As semi-aquatic reptiles native to Southeast Asia, these lizards require specific environmental conditions to stay healthy and thrive in captivity. One of the most important aspects of Chinese water dragon care is providing adequate humidity levels in their enclosure. Proper humidity is essential for shedding, respiration, hydration and overall wellbeing.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about managing humidity for your Chinese water dragon
Understanding Chinese Water Dragon Humidity Needs
In their natural tropical habitat Chinese water dragons experience consistently high humidity levels around 80%. As cold-blooded reptiles they depend on moisture in the air to properly hydrate their skin for shedding. Low humidity causes skin dryness, irregular sheds, and other health issues.
The ideal humidity range to aim for in your Chinese water dragon’s enclosure is 60-80%. This high moisture content should be maintained at all times. Measure humidity levels with a hygrometer placed at the center of the tank. The warm basking area tends to be slightly less humid than the cooler end.
Humidity naturally drops at night when temperatures decrease. Aim to keep nighttime humidity above 65-70%. If it falls below 60%, take corrective actions to raise levels.
Tips for Increasing Humidity in the Enclosure
Here are some effective techniques for boosting humidity inside your Chinese water dragon’s habitat:
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Use a moisture-friendly substrate – Coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, cypress mulch and other porous substrates hold moisture well. A 4-6 inch layer helps increase humidity.
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Add a large water bowl – A large, deep water bowl on the cool side of the tank will evaporate and add humidity.
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Use a misting system – Automated misters are ideal for consistently maintaining humidity levels when you are away.
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Install a humidifier – A cool mist humidifier or fogger can be used to raise humidity at night only. Never use during daytime.
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Cover part of wire screen top – Reducing ventilation with foil or plexiglass over part of the mesh top will retain humidity.
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Include live plants – Plants release moisture and help regulate humidity. Pothos, philodendrons, dracaena and ficus are good choices.
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Hand mist – Light misting once or twice a day will temporarily increase humidity as needed.
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Use a water feature – Adding a small waterfall or drip system raises humidity through water evaporation.
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Keep water in sink enclosures – Having a water reservoir below the tank is an easy way to boost moisture.
Lowering Humidity If Needed
While high humidity is vital, too much moisture can also cause health issues for Chinese water dragons. Stagnant, saturated air increases risks of fungal and bacterial infections. If humidity exceeds 85% or if condensation forms on the glass, take these steps to lower it:
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Allow substrate to dry out before re-wetting
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Remove foil covering parts of the screen top
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Replace solid top with mesh screen for better ventilation
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Increase air circulation and airflow
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Use a smaller water bowl
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Remove humidifier or fogger
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Cut back on misting frequency
Tips for Preventing Mold
To discourage mold growth in humid vivaria, follow these tips:
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Use springtails as clean-up crew
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Change substrate regularly
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Remove uneaten food promptly
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Ensure adequate ventilation
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Disinfect tank decorations periodically
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Use purified or distilled water in humidifiers
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Never oversaturate the substrate
Providing a Large Soaking Water Basin
In addition to boosting humidity, Chinese water dragons require a large body of water in their habitat to soak and swim. In the wild, they live near streams and ponds. Provide the biggest water container possible – ideally at least 65-75 gallons. The tub should be deep enough for the lizard to fully submerge itself.
Give the water basin a thorough cleaning, disinfection and complete water change at least once a week. Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris. Having a basin plumbed into a drainage system makes water changes easier.
Humidity Tips for Baby Chinese Water Dragons
Hatchling and juvenile Chinese water dragons under 12 months need extra humidity care. Their small bodies lose moisture faster. Maintain humidity levels between 70-80% for young dragons. Place their enclosures in a humid room of the house if needed. Mist more frequently and use a humid hide box. Avoid extremely wet conditions that could lead to respiratory infections. Monitor humidity diligently while they are growing.
In Summary
Proper humidity is crucial for the health of Chinese water dragons. Use a combination of methods to maintain steady humidity around 65-80%. Lower humidity if condensation forms. Prevent mold growth with good husbandry. Include a large water basin for swimming. Adjust humidity as needed during various life stages. With the right humidity management, your Chinese water dragon will thrive!
Natural Habitat of the Chinese Water Dragon
Chinese Water Dragons reside in Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, and other areas in Southern China. As their name states, they live in locations with plenty of water. Some environments include swamps, rainforests, and river banks. In other words, this species thrives in hot and humid climates.
Chinese Water Dragons are physically gifted reptiles. They are excellent climbers, so they spend a lot of time on tree branches. They’re also very strong swimmers and can stay submerged in water for over 20 minutes!
All of that being said, what makes the perfect enclosure for a Chinese Water Dragon? Read further! This page will help you design the ideal habitat for your Chinese Water Dragon.
Lighting & UVB for Chinese Water Dragons
Chinese water dragons are diurnal, which means that they are most active during the day. This also means that they need exposure to bright light and UVB during the day for best mental and physical health. Light sources should be turned on for 13 hours/day during summer and 11 hours/day during winter, with gradual adjustments in-between.
UVB lighting can be tricky, because in order to get the right strength of UVB (measured by UV Index, or UVI), distance must be considered. To provide appropriate UVB to a Chinese water dragon, you will need one Arcadia T5 HO Desert 12% or Zoo Med T5 HO ReptiSun 10.0, half to 2/3 the length of the enclosure, mounted in a reflective T5 HO fixture such as the Arcadia ProT5 or the Vivarium Electronics T5 HO fixture.
The basking branch should be placed as follows:
- UVB mounted over mesh: dragon’s back is 12-15” / 30-38cm below UVB lamp when basking
- UVB mounted under mesh: dragon’s back is 16-18” / 40-46cm below UVB lamp when basking
(These recommendations are approximations. It is strongly recommended to use a Solarmeter 6.5 to determine the best placement to achieve a UVI of around 3.0 – 4.0 in the basking area.)
A UVB bulb isn’t bright enough to meet a Chinese water dragon’s light needs. So you will need to supplement with a bright, 6500K T5 HO fluorescent or LED lamp, long enough to span most of the enclosure. This is particularly important if you have live plants in the enclosure, but it is also valuable for providing additional illumination and supporting your dragon’s general wellbeing. The Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar and the Bio Dude Glow & Grow are my preferred choices.
Chinese Water Dragon Humidity Guide
FAQ
How do I lower the humidity in my dragon tank?
Things that can help lower humidity are: a fan to blow air across the enclosure. Small dehumidifiers, the issue with the ones that hang like in the closet is that they are sometimes filled with things that also absorb oxygen which can lead to higher levels of co2 in the tank…a.
What is the basking temperature for a Chinese water dragon?
In the wild, the Chinese water dragon will spend a lot if its time basking in the sunlight. As such they require a very warm basking area of 32-35℃ (90-95℉) during the day time. We aim to provide this heat over 1/3 of the enclosure while letting the enclosure cool to room temperature on the opposite side.
Why is my Chinese water dragon turning brown?
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.
Are Chinese water dragons tropical?
Water dragons are from a tropical humid climate, and being kept in the harsh warm dry conditions of captivity can be harmful to your dragons health. Iguana’s also come from tropical humid areas and it has been found that if they are kept in captivity in a too dry enclosure they will more easily become dehydrated.
What is a good humidity level for a Chinese water dragon?
Ideal Chinese water dragon humidity levels range from 65-75%, with peaks to 80-95% when misting, and only temporarily drops to 50-55%. Keeping levels above 80% at all times is however bad for your Chinese water dragon, as it can cause various infections. How to reach and keep ideal humidity levels for Chinese water dragons?
Do Chinese water dragons need a humidifier?
If your Chinese water dragon’s cage is partially or fully made of metal screen, moisture will evaporate very quickly. With cages like this, you will need to use a humidifier for your Chinese water dragon. But even with a humidifier, it might be hard to keep humidity levels stable.
What temperature should a Chinese water dragon bask?
This way, your Chinese water dragon will be exposed to UVB when basking. This will also help create a warm and cool spot. Idea temperatures in the tank are: Basking (hot side) temperatures on top of the cage – 88-95 Fahrenheit (31-35 Celsius). Cool side temperatures of 75 to 80 Fahrenheit (24-26.6 C).
How to care for a Chinese water dragon?
Because Chinese water dragons are diurnal species, you must imitate these conditions in the tank. You should also create a schedule, where lights turn on and off at the same time every day. You can have the lights on in a Chinese water dragon’s tank for 11-12 hours. The best thing is to use a timer to have the lights turn on automatically.
What temperature should a Chinese water dragon cage be?
Idea temperatures in the tank are: Basking (hot side) temperatures on top of the cage – 88-95 Fahrenheit (31-35 Celsius). Cool side temperatures of 75 to 80 Fahrenheit (24-26.6 C). Temperatures can drop to 75 Fahrenheit (24 Celsius) at night. For a full lighting and heating setup in a Chinese water dragon cage, please read this post.
What temperature is too hot for a water dragon?
Anything higher than 90 Fahrenheit (32 C) is too high for the background temperature. Chinese water dragons require a basking temperature of 88-95 Fahrenheit (31-35 Celsius). Cool spot temperatures (often at the bottom of the tank) should reach 75 to 80 Fahrenheit (24 to 26.6 C).