Introduction

Water dragons are one of the most commonly seen lizards on the east coast
From the bottom of Victoria to Queensland’s top end
Found around rivers and creeks, as there name suggests they can spend Long periods of time in water and can be seen sun basking on logs or rocks.
They are a very fast moving lizard.

There are two subspecies native to Australia the Eastern Water Dragon ( Red form)
& the Gippsland Water Dragon(Green form), the Gippsland form Victoria to Nowra in NSW
The Eastern from Nowra to Queensland.

Behaviour

They are an arboreal, semi -aquatic lizard
Needing plenty of water and branches in there enclosure.
Males are very territorial and will combat will other males over territory and females.

Breeding

Breeding is done in the warmer month with introducing males to females in the spring.
after there cooling period of 2 to 3 months this cooling period is called Brumation.
Food should be offered more often when breeding and more calcium for the females to ensure healthy eggs.
When ready to breed the male will start to show some bright colours with there chest going blood red and head bob , waving of arms and chasing the female around the enclosure then biting her on the back of her neck in an aggressive manner this is not fighting so don't separate them.Male will combat will other male during this time and can be to the death
A good deep sand box should be add to the enclosure for her to lay her eggs in,
when the gravid female is about to lay she will start to dig in various areas so you will need to keep an eye on her, once laid remove the eggs to a container and place in the incubator.
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Water

Water should always be provided for drinking as well as Misting as dragons like to lick up water droplets and spray the water dish so as to make the water move for hatchlings.
Water dragons like to soak in there water dish so a good size dish is required and must be able to be kept clean easily as they defecate in it as well as eating in it so it gets fouled very quickly.
Always keep the water bowl in the cool end of the enclosure

Diet & Supplyment

Hatchlings NEVER give Meal Worms.
Woodies or feeder roaches, crickets, vegetables,
small crickets cut up pieces of fresh white fish also fresh uncooked chicken breast or cut up chicken necks and Vegetables( not Iceberg Lettuce).
Pumpkin, squash, capsicum, tomato’s mixed fruit and cream corn are some of the
Veggies, daisy and dandelions flowers also Pinky mice are also good for pregnant dragons to put on weight and condition
I like to feed my woodies on moist carret just before feeding them to the dragons so they get fluid from ther feed.

Dusting as it is known, food dusted with calcium or vitamin powder is a must for a good healthy water dragon every second feed.
This can be done by putting the food in a contaner or bag and adding a small amount of either calicum or vitamin powder and giving a shack to mix the food with the powder

Lighting & Heat

One of the most important features of an indoor enclosure
Is a UVB full spectrum light (this is not a heat source.)
But provides UVB rays or wavelengths similar to that of the sun, which will help against Metabolic Bone Disease and help with the growth for a healthy hatchling,
It must be placed no more than 30cm from base of enclosure or the basking area,
As the further away the weaker the wavelength is.
Dragons require another form of heat source,
Either a heat mat or basking light both should be control by a thermostat, with a part of the enclosure cooler than the other.
You can never under estimate the true value of natural sunlight.