Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a Water Dragon a couple days ago, and I've been a bit confused by the things I've read and been told. I guess a lot of people don't know a Water Dragon from an Iguana.

First Question: What kind of cage should I get for him?

His current cage is inadequate. I've seen cages with glass or plexi-glass fronts, and the rest made of wood, but I don't see how that would stop nose rubbing. I've also seen cages made partially or fully of wire. It seems like those would require a lot more power to heat.

He is pretty small still. I think his body is about 6 inches. (picture at the bottom of this post) I've been told that I should keep him in a smaller cage and get him bigger cages as he grows... I've also been told that he should have a very large cage and he'd grow into it. It seems like a huge cage would make him a bit harder to tame.

Second Question: How cool should I allow his cage to get at night?

I'm a little worried about this, since we had an emergency when I first got him and couldn't find the heat lamp that I thought I had ready for him at home. He seemed to be dangerously stressed by the time I was able to get a new lamp for him, about an hour later.

I have heard that night temperatures should not drop below 75 degrees. I have also heard that they can drop into the 60s. As I understand, it should be dark at night... Should I buy him a night lamp as well, or is it safe to just turn his light off at night?

I hope I don't sound too ignorant!

Wow! Conflicting doesn't describe your info!
Daytime lights: Diurnal cycle 12-14 hrs. daylight Remainder: dark
Temps: 84-88F with a 90 basking spot on the hot side and 75-79 on the cool side (water source should be on the cool side)
Night time temps can drop to 67 or so but no lower. since they sleep in the trees the temp is usually 5 degrees fromthe bottom of your enclosure to the sleeping area.
Due to the high humidity requirements of these reptiles an enclosed cage with ventilation is best. This helps with heat and humidity.
They are arboreal (tree dwelling) herps and require branches and vines above the floor level of the enclosure for basking and sleeping. Silk vines wrapped around branches help provide them with some shade when they need it.
They also need UVB lighting. Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 fluorescent bulbs are what I recommend. Any regular incandescent bulb can be used as a "basking" bulb. You should have at least one humidity device in the enclosure and 3 thermometers (hot side about 1/3 of the way from the top) cool side about 1/3 of the way from the bottom) and one in the middle about 1/3 of the way from the top. You should try to arrange your lights/heat so they are all on the hot side and grouped to encourage your dragon to bask under the UVB source. A imer is best because it gives them regular light cycles that are not dependant upon YOUR sleeping schedule LOL (like noon on Saturdays). You should mist the enclosure with warm water at least twice daily to help with the humidity. Use a fine mist sprayer and soak everything-including the dragons.
Good luck. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Lol, Diane, you beat me!!!

No, you don't sound ignorant, just a very caring parent!! Daytime temps need to be 83-88, with a basking area up to 95 or so. Nighttime temps are 75-80, on average. You need uvb also. At night, use a red bulb for heat. The wattage depends on your ambient temps. I change mine out with the seasons and temp changes.

If snout rubbing becomes a problem, all you need to do is put something on the bottom 4" of the tank, like masking tape, or paper.

Ideally, you want to get as large a viv as possible. You can keep a baby in a 55 gal or something, but be prepared to move him into something larger when he gets older. Many of us have 6' x 4' x 2' vivs, or equivalent. Glass is definitely better, for the humidity, but some have done well with the wire mesh.

Ummm, I guess that covers your questions? Don't hesitate to ask any 'lil question at all! That is a good thing!

I need to get him a much bigger cage in a hurry! I noticed him rubbing right away, so I taped some paper along the bottom of his cage. I guess I'm doing some of the right things without even realizing. lol. Thanks for your help.

Yes, you are. You are an awesome parent, keep asking! I do!! I know I must annoy some ppl, and I have had my Charlize for 2 1/2 years now, and two boyz since last month. I still ask.