Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone.

A few years ago I bought a young water dragon. He had been kept in a 30 long, while his big cage was built, and during that time he got a little bit of snout damage.

2 years ( I think ) passed, and I had to move. The water dragon cage ( plywood/plexiglass ) measuring 5.5' long, 5.5 tall, and 3 deep had to be cut in half to get it out of the apartment....

.....and I had no way to bring it along with me.

So, I ordered a 260 gallon reptarium. I put on the usual UV lamp & heating elements, gave him his big rubbermaid pool, some driftwood, and used clean towels as a substrate.

Daily misting of the towels ( and regular cleaning ) helped keep the cage humid, as did the plastic sides I added on.

But, 3 months later....and today I noticed a bit of snout damage reoccuring.

Black, reddish sores on his left side of the snout.....

So, I had planned to get the plastic tray to put along the front ( allowing less air exchange & more visibility )....but now I have no idea what to do with him.

As I speak, he sits in the bathroom getting some TLC. ( Humid shower, big tub to swim in, and heat! )

So, what does one do with these water dragons!?!?

Glass tanks have proven to not work....
He even rubbed his snout on the plexiglass doors of the wooden cage...
and he won't work out in the reptarium.

Does anyone have a dragon without snout damage?

My dragon has no snout damage. However, the cage I have him in is not conducive to humidity. His cage has a wooden frame and is wrapped in chicken wire. I happen to live down south where the humidity is thick. I placed my dragons cage by a large window and I open the window and screen for him each day.

As you probably know, Dragons will always run into anything clear because they just aren't smart enough to realize there is something there. I would suggest wrapping some kind of mesh around the outside of the plexi glass that will give it some texture. Several friends have told me this works. Good luck! I know it can get frustrating.

Not a terrarium...a Reptarium! ABS plastic frame, with black mesh & a zipper.

Check to make sure that he doesn't have mites. Sometimes they rub their snouts when irritated by mites. Usually reptariums do not cause as much snout damage, because they are not running into the sides and can clearly see the barrier. My waterdragons have their own room and they still on occasion get a little banged up, some of them are just plain incorrigeable.

Thanks for the reply. I have had him checked...no mites.

He has the bad habit of just jumping onto the sides, trying to dig his way out of the corner, and then running his face along the mesh.

He's still living in the bathroom....I'm not sure what he'll do from here.