Water Dragon Care Sheet
The Eastern Water Dragon is found from Cooktown in Queensland, throughout New South Wales and Eastern Victoria. There are two known forms - the Eastern and the Gippsland. The Gippsland form is only found in the Gippsland area of Victoria, and are notably different in colouration and size. Compared to other dragons, the Eastern Water Dragon is quite long lived, having a life span of around 25 years. They can grow to 1 metre in length.
HOUSING
Water dragons need very large enclosures, with a large water area for swimming and appropriate furnishings. In a melamine style you will need to provide them with a large water bowl to swim in. We can custom make small fish tanks for this purpose if required.
Water proofing the bottom of a melamine enclosure will be required to ensure your enclosure does not get damaged. If using a fish tank or aquarium you will need to provide your lizard with adequate water and dry areas. Your water will need to be changed regularly as water dragons often excrete in the water. As adults Water Dragons will require as big an enclosure as possible. 2700mm x 750mm as a minmum would be recommended. They can also be kept outdoors in aviary style enclosures once adults. As juveniles you can keep them in smaller enclosure and upsize as you dragon gets larger.
HEATING
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. Make sure you monitor the temperatures in your enclosure at all times. A thermometer at the warm end and at the cool end is a recommended practice with all lizards.
LIGHTING
Water Dragons require a quality UVB globe. UVB light provides the dragon with vitamin D which is an essential vitamin for bone development. Without UVB and the vitamin D it produces, bones will not grow or become strong and the dragon will die an unnecessary, slow and painful death. A good quality 5.0 UVB globe is recommended and should be on a daylight cycle of 10-12 hours per day.
FEEDING
Crickets and or Cockroaches should be fed Daily, and should be dusted with Calcium powder at least 3 times per week, also a multivitamin powder once per week. Silkworms and Giant Mealworms (ZOPHOBAS MORIO) are also recommended, as this particular species of mealworm has a soft shell which insures in will be dead before reaching your lizards stomach.
Feeding insects that are too large can also be dangerous for Bearded Dragons, so keep food on the smaller side. Crickets in smaller containers are sold by weight and not by numbers, so buying bigger is no more economical then buying smaller. The Exo Terra Canned food range are also great for some variety but you may need to use some feeding tongs to dangle the food in front of them so they think it is alive.
Fruit and Vegies should also be offered as part of their regular diet. Some favourite fruits include banana, strawberry, mango, raspberries and blueberries. They will accept many vegetables as long as they are soft and can fit in their mouth. Shredding can be a good way to help feed them hard vegetables. Note that iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value and should not be offered as food.
Filtration of your water in larger tanks is also an important factor. Click link below for filtration information.
