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Can a hatchling be a free roaming lizard. Any thoughts about having your WD free roaming??

I wouldn't allow a hatchling to roam free, they are more delicate. My waterdragons have there own room. Free roaming water dragon can be easier to maintain provided you set them up right and restrict them to a manageable area. Here are some pics of my setup. I believe that this is the best way to keep them as they have territories in the wild that are over a square mile in size and are very territorial with each other. I have kept mine like this for over 16 years. They must be happy because each of my females lay three clutches a year and the male is still breeding at age 16.


Image

another pic..

This female is 14 yrs old blind in one eye and still lays eggs. You can see how cloudy her eye is.

Rick,
Let me pick your mind a little. what do you mean when you say restrict them to a certain area? Do I just keep them to one side of the room. Another question is if you have a WD with a room to hisself how do you keep the humidity up to the right levels?

One more question, when you do the wetland filter you talk about using egg crates. What do you mean, the ones that are like a box and are plastic or egg cartons that a dozen eggs come in?

Thanks for the help

sabatino

Humidity seems to be an issue with some people living in arid conditions. I live on the east coast where it's not an issue. In most places if you have a pond or sufficient body of water, humidity should not be a problem. By restricting them I mean that whatever area you allow them to get to is lizard safe. At one time mine had the run of a two-bedroom apartment. I setup water dragon stations that consisted of a wetland-filtered pond and an overhead light in each room. I had to block all possible crevices and gaps to make sure that they could get somewhere they shouldn't, like under the refridgerator. It was pretty cool to see them running from one area to another in a group on their hind legs. I use the plastic egg crate sold for florescent light fixtures to make the wetland filters.

Rick, I appreciate the info. So if I set up a corner of a room with a pond a couple of trees and an overhead light that should be sufficient? Now if I use a power sun light will that kill my plants that surrond your area? I am thinking of a set up similar to yours in the pic you posted. How big is your designated WD area? Could you please give me any tips that come to your mind in setting up the station. I am sure when I start the wetland I will be asking many questions even though I have a general knowledge from your many postings on the issue. Actually here is a question: How big is your outter container and inner container for your wetland filter?

The outer part of the pond is large cement mixing tub that you can get at home depot. The inner is a small pond about a foot in diameter also found at home depot although not always available. I have a wetland filter that is not setup of the same design, I will see if I can takes some pics and post them for you. Other then the wetland filter and overhead light, make sure to have ample climbing branches and foliage. a few nearby hiding places would be good too. I have found that waterdragons will make the most use of stations with the most greenery. Wild caughts feel less comfortable with it and will tend to hide more and need to be monitored. Captive bred tend to adjust well and often be found in a favorite basking spot. The full spectrum lighting is best when within 8-15 inches of their basking sights for vitamin D3 synthesis. For the plants, no closer then 24 inches. I would recomend that you not depend on artifical lighting for D3, use a suppliment as well.

I'm planning on letting my dragon free roam when I get back to my apartment... and I wanted to ask you about the water area.
I dont have any money or time to do anything elaborate, but I'd like to get him something larger than his kitty liter pan...
Yet if i do, I'd never be able to pick it up to empty and clean it.
Suggestions?
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~~Tania~~
(and Jake, Peter, and Mary) the lizard family.

I use a wetland-filtered pond. Its not very expensive to make and fulfill many waterdragon needs, first it never needs to b change, just add water to account for evaporation, secondly the live plants create a welcomed environment for the waterdragons.
It is a little elaborate, but it is well worth the effort to make. Here is the basic principle, Water in the wild is naturally recycled by wetland environments, bacteria in the soil breakdown harmful nitrites and ammonia, plants remove the nitrate byproduct as well as other contaminates. To create a wetland filter you need to have the following:

1.Two container, one to be the pond area which should be much smaller the other and also able to fit in the other. I use large plastic cement mixing tub and a small pond.
2. A pump to pump the water from the large container into the smaller pond area container. The water will fill the pond and overflow back into the larger container.
3. Apply a layer of lava rocks or other bacteria medium such as biobeads in the larger container around the pond.
4.make a shelf that sits on top of the lava rocks with plastic egg crate and screen.
5. Add moss on top of the screen as a substrate for the plants.
6. Plant heavily most plants will do well in this environment.
7. Add enough water so that the moss remains moist but not submerged.

Here is a picture of my wetland filter, I added plastic bricks around the border and I have a couple of gold fish in it that live of the waste and help break down the solids. This system hasn't been broken down in five years.

I dont think I have time or money to do something like that, even just for all those supplies.
Plus I move back and forth between homes, not a good transport idea.

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~~Tania~~
(and Jake, Peter, and Mary) the lizard family.

your best bet then is to use a submersible filter like a fluval and get a python aquarium cleaner, thats a hose that attaches to the sink and allows you to drain as well as to fill, They are a little expensive but better then hefting buckets of dirty water.

I've never heard of the python thing... could you point me in the direction of where I might look? The cheapest place would be good thanks for your help
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~~Tania~~
(and Jake, Peter, and Mary) the lizard family.

If i got the python thing... which i think you mean the python no spill and fill system? and cleaned the water out frequently, would i be alright without a filter?
I cant afford both right now, i'll have to be sneaky about the one lol
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~~Tania~~
(and Jake, Peter, and Mary) the lizard family.

Yes, the Python no spill, should be the first thing you get. The filter will allow you to change it less often , but the no spill will make changing the water very easy to do.