Description:
Scientific name: Physignathus cocincinus
Life span: 10-15 years
A species of agamid lizard that is indigenous to China and the continent of Southeast Asia is called the Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus). The Thai water dragon, Asian water dragon, and green water dragon are some of its other names. The genus name means “expanded jaw” in Greek. Dark to light green, occasionally purple with an orange tummy, and other colors are all present. On the body, there are diagonal stripes of green or turquoise, and the tail has a green and white band running from the middle to the tip. They might have white, off-white, extremely pale green or pale yellow undersides. Yet, other people find that their throats, which can be fairly bright (purple and blue, or peach), some with a single hue, some with stripes, are more appealing.
Native Region/Habitat
Chinese water dragons are typically found along the sides of freshwater lakes and streams. They are native to the lowland and highland forests of southern China and southeastern Asia. Water dragons inhabit regions with humidity levels around 40–80% and temperatures between 80–90 °F (26–32 °C).
Behavior:
They are diurnally active, spending the most of their waking hours in trees or other plants (arboreal). The dragon will descend from the trees into the water if it feels threatened and will either swim to safety or stay underwater for up to 90 minutes.
More amiable than iguanas, Chinese water dragons are among the world’s friendliest lizards. They adore being touched, and to keep them from turning hostile, they actually need to be handled frequently.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Terrarium Size:
Chinese water dragons require an enclosure that is sizable enough to allow them enough room to hunt, explore, and generally engage in their natural behaviors. They are also arboreal, which means that since they are a species that lives in trees, they need a high cage. A single Chinese water dragon should be housed in an enclosure that measures no less than 6’L x 3’W x 6’H, or 1.8 x 0.9 x 1.8 meters. The use of bigger is strongly advised.
Temperatures:
Because we have warm blood, humans’ bodies naturally regulate their internal temperatures. The cold-blooded nature of Chinese water dragons, on the other hand, necessitates their constant movement between environments with varying temperatures. Chinese water dragons will warm up in nature by sunbathing. Heat lights can imitate the warmth of sunlight in captivity.
- Temperature in the basking area: 90–95°F (32–35°C).
- Temperature on the cool side: 77–86°F (25–30°C)
- Temperature at night: 75–77°F (24–25°C).
Feeding:
Chinese water dragons are largely insectivorous, meaning they obtain the majority of their nutrition through consuming a variety of insects. Yet, they are also known to consume small animals, fruits, and plants. To help your pet grow, you should offer a wide variety of foods because they become tired eating the same thing every day. Use feeding tweezers to deliver as many insects as your dragon will devour in five minutes. Hard-bodied insects shouldn’t be larger than the gap between a dragon’s eyes or longer than the dragon’s head.
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