Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I can't be sure, but I don't think my CWD's are a year old yet. At what age do they become sexually mature? My male is acting very frisky and chasing his partner all around the viv.

I just wanted some reassurance that this behaviour was normal and that I don't need to separate them or take any other precautions.

Best wishes. Colleen

I would expect some eggs this spring, maybe sooner, if I were you. The first clutch is most serious, it is the one most like to result in egg binding. Make sure that the female has a container of loose soil about 12-18 inches deep, preferably in a well lit spot, for her to dig her nest. Make sure temperatures are correct, if she is kept too cool, it will lead to egg binding. If you have the room, several containers are best to give her an option. When she is close to laying, you will be able to feel the eggs, just below the ribs on the sides. She will dig a couple of holes to fake you out, the one she lays the eggs in will be filled in. As for the male, they can be too aggressive about mating, Most people keep a male with two females so he can spread the love, and give them a break, otherwise you should have a separate cage to remove male to when she starts to look stressed. It would be better to move the male, because if the female is gravid, moving her to a new cage would add to her stress.

Thank you for your very informative response. Moving either of them is not really an option. I thought I was doing the best thing by housing them in a vivarium which is 7ft tall and over 4ft wide and it takes up a lot of space, as you can imagine. I think I will get another female to take the pressure off. Or two if you think I have enough room.

As to the egg laying area, most of the bottom of the cage is earth and live plants. Should I put separate containers in for her to lay in or will that be sufficient?

Best wishes.

Colleen

I might mention that both your dragons look considerably older than 1 year, since Rick didn't. As long as your enclosure soil is damp enough to dig a hole without the sides caving in, it should suffice. Good luck. Your dragons are beautiful. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Ya, I agree with DM! Beautiful pair too!

I have a water dragon that I thought was a girl at first, then figured it was probably a boy. Now looking at these pics, I am thinking it is a girl again because its about a year and looks like the one pictured first, with the smaller spines. How can I tell for sure. I figured the femoral pores would be the way. Let me know, thanks

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------Misty-------
5.12 Corn Snakes --- 1.0 Tokay Gecko
2.1 King Snakes --- 1.0 House Gecko
1.2 leopard Geckos --- 1.0 Golden Tegu
1.1 Bearded Dragon --- 0.0.1 Savanna Monitor
1.1 Green Iguana --- 1.0 Chinese Water Dragon
0.1 Crocodile Gecko --- 1.1 False Water Cobras
1.1 Jungle Corn --- 1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Kenya Sand Boa --- 0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.1 Emperor Scorpions --- 3.0 Ferrets
1.1 Congo African Grey (parrot)
0.0.3 Prairie Ringneck Snakes --- 0.1 Dog

It is not showing any male tendencies at this point. Some people can tell from cloacal shots. Take a picture of that area. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

I don't know if this will help. I can see the femoral pores pretty easily. I just don't know if this is a male or female water dragon.

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------Misty-------
5.12 Corn Snakes --- 1.0 Tokay Gecko
2.1 King Snakes --- 1.0 House Gecko
1.2 leopard Geckos --- 1.0 Golden Tegu
1.1 Bearded Dragon --- 0.0.1 Savanna Monitor
1.1 Green Iguana --- 1.0 Chinese Water Dragon
0.1 Crocodile Gecko --- 1.1 False Water Cobras
1.1 Jungle Corn --- 1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Kenya Sand Boa --- 0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.1 Emperor Scorpions --- 3.0 Ferrets
1.1 Congo African Grey (parrot)
0.0.3 Prairie Ringneck Snakes --- 0.1 Dog