GENERAL
Chinese Water Dragons, Physignathus cocincinus, can make a wonderful pet! They are colorful, easy to handle, friendly, and don't grow to an unmanageble size. Large males can reach a total length of just over three feet; females are generally smaller. They are found naturally over much of Southeast Asia, including eastern Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and also in southern parts of China. Water Dragons are often found in riverine forests, where they stay close to water. They are aboreal lizards, are accomplished swimmers, and can run on their back legs!
HOUSING
SUBSTRATE
Water Dragons fare quite well on a mixture of potting soil and coarse sand, or "cage carpet" which is like Astroturf. If you use the cage carpet, make sure the edges are not frayed as this can be ingested and could cause impaction. Bed-A-Beast is another popular bedding of hobbyists and is available at most pet stores. When using any of the soil/Bed-A-Beast substrates, take care to keep their water container free of waste and debris and fresh at all times.
CAGE FURNITURE
Since Water Dragons are aboreal lizards, large branches for climbing and basking are a necessity. They should be | |
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