The first species people relate to when they hear of an animal called a water dragon is the Chinese water dragon. In “How to Care for Water Dragons,” the primary focus will be on the Chinese dragon, but also on the Australian water dragon, and the Basilisk lizard.http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-basilisk-lizard.html Also, any other omnivorous lizard that is oriented to an arboreal environment and significant water source.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ARBOREAL The general information provided will pertain to all of these.

Water dragons are arboreal. They are great climbers, and need a vertical habitat to enable them to be up off the floor of their enclosure. True to the name, water dragons love water and will frequently spend a great deal of time in the “tub.”

Even though a Chinese water dragon bears a strong resemblance to the Green iguana, its personality is quite different. For lack of a better work, it is a nicer animal. Water dragons have lively, curious personalities and bond quite easily with humans. Another benefit to the Chinese or Australian water dragon is its compact size. Most of its body length is its tail (70%), and the overall size of an adult male is about 3 feet.http://exoticpets.about.com/od/lizardsaspets/p/waterdragons.htm

The Australian water dragon looks very different.http://troypiggo.deviantart.com/art/Australian-Water-Dragon-108682832 The males especially have a striking color combination of beige, orange, black stripes along the head, black and white spotted legs, all of which help it blend to its natural environment. In the wild, it dwells near water sources in rain forests that are more of a woodland nature such as in Queensland, than the tropical bright green rain forest, home of the Chinese water dragon. It also seeks overhanging limbs upon which to roost and bask.

In this informative page, you will learn how to select your lizard, the proper habitat for water dragons, and how to feed them a well-rounded diet so that the experience creates a positive relationship between pet and owner. Plus, you will be provided with some interesting facts and tips about this charming and beautiful lizard.

When it’s time to purchase your pet lizard, this is how to select a water dragon. If possible, purchase a young dragon, but make sure it is not a hatchling. In fact, try to find one that is a juvenile water dragon. That is, one that is several months old. This will help ensure your success in raising your pet. The best rule-of-thumb it to look for a water dragon that is about 10 inches long. This will be a young dragon, but not a baby. Water dragons are hearty creatures, and therefore easier to care for than their more delicate cousins, such as chameleons. But baby care is a lot of work and requires quite a bit of expertise.

Ask the reptile personnel at the pet store to help you pick out your water dragon. Then, have them demonstrate that it is easy to handle. If possible, with their assistance, handle it yourself. If a dragon has been raised with no human interaction, it will be very skittish.

Although you do not want skittish, you do want to look for bright-eyed and animated.http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/purchase.htm#Purchasing A listless lizard is not a good sign. It does not mean the creature is docile, it most likely means it is in poor health. If it is clearly emaciated – that is, overly thin without a rounded body, don’t buy it. Check for damage. If the dragon’s snout is wounded, it is usually a sign that it has been crashing into its vivarium more than usual – they do bump the glass, but not enough to incur swelling or abrasion.

Is the dragon clean? Check underneath and make sure there are no signs of diarrhea. Ask the pet store staff to help you look over the lizard, checking carefully for any problems. Ask if it was captive bred or wild caught. Avoid wild caught. They do not usually fare well. Look at the color. It should be bright green, not dark, which may be a sign of anger or fright.

Unlike other reptile enclosures, the habitat for the water dragon needs to be quite large. A measurement of at least twice the length of the lizard is the minimum. The reason is because water dragons are jumpers. That is, they jump from the floor of their vivarium into the branches of the “trees” that must be provided for them. They are arboreal, a word relating to “arbor” or trees. As in Arbor Day. The proper climbing items are usually artificial, and can be purchased at the pet store.

You will need to provide a large water source, like a plastic tub, that is big enough for the water dragon to fit in, preferably with room to swim. In addition to climbing and swimming, water dragons “roost” in the branches of their trees, so there needs to be plenty of ground space for them to run and jump.

Water dragons are arboreal, but they also need enough water to submerge and swim comfortably in, as well as branches for climbing, and plenty of ground area for roosting and feeding.

Humidity is very important for animals indigenous to the rain forests. You can purchase an automatic misting system, or mist your water dragon by hand, daily.

Your water dragon will roost and rest on its branches, so a heat source must be provided for them to bask. Ask the reptile staff to show you the proper heat lamp, one that is designed for reptiles and emits UVB light.

The substrate or ground covering should be a mixture of peat soil and small bark. This is available at the pet store. With healthy digestive systems, water dragons are messy, but they do tend to “go” in their water container. Make sure it is cleaned very frequently.

More than one water dragon may be kept in the same enclosure. However, check to make certain one does not dominate the other with antagonism or hoarding the food. Two or three females usually co-habitate quite well.

What do water dragons eat? Water dragons are omnivores. That is, they eat prey animals and fruits and vegetables.

Your water dragon will enjoy crickets and mealworms. http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/ Choose smaller crickets and mealworms for a young lizard, then graduate up to large mealworms and “super worms,” which they like very much. Some owners offer “feeder fish” and even small frozen feeder rodents, defrosted and added as a source of protein.

Crickets and worms should be dusted with a calcium powder – the water dragon needs the supplement for proper nutrition. If possible, gut load the prey animals (except for the frozen rodents, of course) by feeding them healthy food before feeding them to your pet lizard. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=3128

Water dragons need finely shredded vegetables and fruit. However, the produce should only account for about 10-15% of its diet. Don’t be surprised if your water dragon is a picky eater when it comes to fresh food. Try introducing a variety of foods: dark leafy greens such as mustard greens, kale, collard greens (no iceberg lettuce), bits of beans and squash, and chopped melon, apples, strawberries and bananas.