Eastern Water Dragons love: Food – especially insects, frogs, yabbies and water insects. Overhanging plants – which provide safe haven around a pool, pond or creek and protection from predators.
Feed Water dragons a variety of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, king mealworms, silkworms, and waxworms, as well as grasshoppers, roaches, and earthworms. Pinky mice and small fish may also be fed occasionally. All produce offered should be fresh, high quality items fit for human consumption and pesticide free.
Types of vegetation reportedly consumed include figs, lilly-pilly fruits, and other fruits and flowers. Water Dragons are believed to forage underwater, however this is based on one observation of diving Water Dragons returning to the surface and moving their jaws.
Australian water dragons are omnivorous meaning that they can eat a varied diet of vegetation, insects and meat. Though they can eat vegetation we only provide a small dish of leafy greens as this species is normally far more focussed on insects and meat.
Australian water dragons can adapt and aren't usually aggressive to humans, making them good pets. Like other sizable lizards, they have sharp claws and can deliver a nasty bite if they feel cornered, so some caution is needed.
These lizards are one of the most friendly types. Typically, they do enjoy being handled. Regular handling is essential to prevent them from becoming too aggressive. If the Chinese water dragon is scared or feels threatened, it may bite or whip its tail.
They require fresh drinking water at all times. Drinking water should be checked daily as dragons in general, but water dragons in particular, have a tendency to defecate in water.
Eastern Water Dragons love:
Food – especially insects, frogs, yabbies and water insects. Overhanging plants – which provide safe haven around a pool, pond or creek and protection from predators.
Human introduced animals; cats, dogs and foxes can also cause death and injury to Water Dragons. Predatory birds such as Kookaburras, Butcherbirds and Currawongs are likely to prey on the young hatchlings and small juvenile Water Dragons.
Water Dragons can sleep in the water, with just their nostrils protruding. In cold weather before they go into their winter dormancy (hibernation), sleeping in the water overnight, is actually warmer than sleeping in the open.
Bearded and water dragons also like a variety of chopped fruit and vegetables such as clover, dandelion, mulberry leaves, milk thistle, watercress, banana, apple, pawpaw, pear, green beans, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, parsley and tomato. Reptile supplements are also available.
Long story short: reptiles are lactose intolerant! Unlike mammals, reptiles are not born with the enzymes necessary to digest dairy products.
Water dragons have plenty of stored fat, so they can go without eating for two months, although if you are keeping them as pets, keeping food from them is not recommended.
Fruits: Strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, apples with seeds removed, pineapple, grapes, raspberries, pears, honeydew. Avoid avocado. A water dish large enough to allow soaking should always be provided. The dragon should be able to submerge itself completely.
They are partial to grapes, love mango and banana, and will readily eat chicken, bacon and beef mince in small quantities. They also eat ants, but not in large quantities. I have even seen a Water Dragon with a bush mouse in its mouth.
Heat & light
Like all reptiles, Chinese water dragons are ectothermus and must have a warm habitat in order to maintain their body temperature. They also need moist, humid air. During the day, use a heat bulb to warm one side of the terrarium to 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 35 Celsius).
Offer finely shredded green leafy vegetables (kale, romaine, mustard greens, squash) and small chunks of fruit that have been dusted with Zoo Med Repcal (without D3) three times a week. Water dragons can become picky eaters and may refuse to eat when they become bored with their food.
Water Dragons can bite hard so always keep your fingers away from their mouth. Remember, lizards may also scratch and some species (water dragons) may attempt to whip their tail. Lace Monitors should only be handled by people that are confident and experienced in restraining them as they are extremely strong and quick.
This lizard is found around creeks, watercourses and backyard ponds and is more often heard than seen plopping into water from its basking position. Don't approach water dragons as they have sharp claws and can deliver a serious bite.
While the Australian Water Dragon does not necessarily pose a threat to humans, you should never take them for granted. Adult dragons are confident and friendly but also have sharp claws. Young dragons are skittish and jumpy but get used to human interaction very quickly.
The Dragon is shrewd and healthy. Dragon natives have a mystical, intuitive, artistic, and unusually lucky side.
They are often a brown-green color with a pale green to white underside. Light stripes run vertically across each side of their bodies. They also have brown and green banded tails, large eyes and short snouts. Water dragons can live for 10 to 15 years.
Water dragons eat both plants and animals, especially fruits, flowers, insects, frogs, yabbies and other aquatic organisms.
Fruits and vegetables do need to be offered to your Chinese Water Dragon, although some seem to be able to live without eating them, it is still essential to provide them with to to your pet. However, it should only make up around ten to fifteen percent of their diet.
Water dragons can slowly change skin color to aid their camouflage and their skin will shed during periods of growth.