How to Care for a Chinese Water Dragon

Chinese Water Dragons are native to Asia. These lizards come in a range of greens with slanted stripes of green or turquoise. Their bellies are white or pale yellow, and their throats can be yellow, orange, or peach colored. The Chinese Water Dragon will make a good pet if you follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Cage
• Light source
• Substrate
• Thermometer
• Humidity gauge
• Water bowl

1. Choose a cage that holds at least 60 gallons. It must be at least 6 feet long and two feet deep. Use pet carpet or Astroturf as substrate. Avoid using gravel or wood chips, since these can injure the water dragon's stomach.
2. Keep the humidity at 80 percent. This humidity level helps the water dragon shed its coat. Use a gauge to monitor the humidity level. Spray water in the cage twice daily. You can also cover part of the cage with a towel to keep moisture in, or use a humidifier in the room.
3. Maintain a temperate between 84 and 88 degrees in daytime. At night, keep it at least 75 degrees, but no higher than 80. Provide a basking spot for the water dragon. This must be warmer than the rest of the cage. Use a light bulb or a heating pad.
4. Give your water dragon a bowl full of water to play and swim in. It must be easy to enter and exit and large enough to fit his whole body. The water should reach half its height. The water dragon might use the water bowl to go to the bathroom, so change it every day.
5. Feed your water dragon mice, carrots, lettuce, worms, feeder fish or crickets. Don't feed it acidic or cruciferous vegetables.
6. Make sure your water dragon has UVB light. Natural sunlight is best. If it is not possible to provide natural sunlight, buy a special bulb to provide the UVB light. Your water dragon could die without it.
7. Use plants in the cage to provide moisture and give the water dragon a place to hide.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your water dragon calcium supplements to keep it healthy.
• Wash plants thoroughly to remove fertilizers.
• Take care when using live plants because some plants are toxic to water dragons. Ask for guidance at the pet store.
• Never put a glass cage in direct sunlight. The glass filters UVB rays and the glasshouse effect can raise temperatures dangerously high.