Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I adopted an older awd several weeks ago-he is very healthy and slightly jumpy.....I don't how much he has been handled although he seems to accept soft touching with very slow movements. I handled him the first day...I think he was in shock and miserable in a temporary 10 gallon tank.....he is doing much better now...wondering if there is anything I can do besides quietly sitting with him each evening and slowing moving my hand closer until I touch him...the few times that I have attempted to hold him since the first day he wiggles and wrestles...I just leave him at that point....I don't want to stress him out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would keep from handeling him until he becomes comfortable with his new home. Hopefully you have the correct size enclosure and everything set up. Taming shouldn't be your frist priority. They are wild animals, not domestic, don't be shocked if he never becomes tame. I've had my dragon for 4 years, and he hates being handeled but he'll tolerate touch.

Thanks for the advice....he is in a pretty big enclosure....I had a bearded dragon for 8 years and he was awesome....he passed last year, much to my sadness. I had never seen an australian wd and was actually contemplating a mali....this guy just sort of caught my eye and--he is beautiful...any other advice would be greatly appreciated-he seems to love bananas, super worms and crickets, misting and bathing.

Thanks again...this is a great site

I am launching a site regarding water dragons, but that won't be for another few weeks.

Tricia has a great care and reference site, it's the holy grail for water dragon care:
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/

I shouldn't do this, but there is another form that gets more active responses from water dragon owners. It also gets a lot of arrogant people unfortanetly.
http://www.repticzone.com/forums/WaterDragons/index.html

Chinese Water Dragons have nearly the same care as Australian water dragons, as far as I am aware.

Thanks for the info....