Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have some Aussie water dragons that are going on 2 years old. They have grown fast and appear to be very healthy; active, well fed, well watered, bright eyed etc. Well last week I noticed that one of the females appeared lethargic and did not come to the food bowl. I pulled her from the cage and checked her over; she was responsive and alert but did not move to get away like normal (I don't handle them much to maintain wild behavior). I administered a few drops of an appetite stimulant and put her in back in the cage. The next day she hadn't moved much so I pulled her out and put her in an empty cage with clean water, food and temps at 75-82F with hotspot of 100F. She appeared to eat and I felt a few days away from the dominant female would do her good. Next morning she is dead.
Now the male is acting lethargic. Normally he sprints away from me when I reach for him but this time he just sat in the water bowl. He also did not eat yesterday (I do watch). I have had no luck finding information on what this could be. Again, I have had these guys for two years (since they were hatchlings) and they have done great. They have a nice enclosure with several hiding spots, climbing spaces, clean water, live plants etc. Ambient temp is about 82F with 3 hiding spaces to coold down and 2 hot spots to warm up (95-100F). They are fed 2-3 times a week with superworms, earthworms, cockroaches, crickets, waxworms or field plankton depending on availability. They are watered at the same time (bowl and spray). Any thoughts? I really appreciate it.
Neil

imay not be of too much help here, but if they have thrived for two years, and as closely as you appear to observe them, i am sure you have already isolated any posiible variants, or changes which may have occured,all i can offer is a possible venue for help, agama international is a very good knowledgeable breeder of aussies, he also answers many emails in a couple of hours, its like timo2@earthlink? not sure, go to google and type agama international, hope this helps, and sorry for your loss, good luck, keelsey
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skateboardingtattooinghardcoredragonguy

for aussies of two years of age. Aussies are a species that go through a marked brumation period. The instinct is so strong that they will want to "shut down" for the winter even if you do not alter the climate to invoke the response.
take care,
Paul

>>for aussies of two years of age. Aussies are a species that go through a marked brumation period. The instinct is so strong that they will want to "shut down" for the winter even if you do not alter the climate to invoke the response.
>>take care,
>>Paul
>>

Paul---one of them died though?
Nicole