Water Dragons generally go to the toilet in the water. Water Dragons communicate by bobbing their heads, inflating their throat pouches, doing push-ups and waving their arms. This is part of the territorial behaviour that males exhibit during breeding season.
There is no guarantee they will get along well. When stressed or angry, water dragons may puff up their throats, wave their arms, head bob, whip their tails or lick each other! Water dragons have a bad habit of banging their faces against the glass of their enclosure if the enclosure is too small.
Lizards bob their heads to communicate with other lizards the same way birds tweet. Lizards living in the same environment do this very often. This is why lizard pet owners often put many lizards in the same terrarium. This will encourage socialization between the lizards as lizards are very social creatures.
Respiratory Infection: Chinese water dragons can develop respiratory infections due to incorrect temperatures, humidity, or unclean conditions. Signs include open mouth breathing, wheezing, sneezing, and discharge from the mouth or nostrils.
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 are pretty active in their environment and like to climb on rocks, up trees, on branches, or in plants.
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.
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.
Male vs. Female Water Dragon: Coloring
Just below their throats, you will see colorful orange or yellow markings on male water dragons. You will also see a bright pink color around the bottom edge of the male's mouth. Neither of these bright colors will be present on female dragons.
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.
There are three main reasons why many species of lizards sometimes bob up and down in a “push-up” motion. These include: Displaying dominance towards another lizard and/or assessing their physical size and strength (usually between males) Courting another lizard for mating (usually done by males towards females)
Well, the visual communication can be a way to establish dominance and assert territory. Male lizards do pushups to display strength and send messages to potential rivals or threats.
Both males and females perform the same three headbob patterns and with equal precision. Furthermore, all three patterns are used during each of the following basic social contexts: as males advertise territories. as males aggressively fight.
Best humidity levels for Chinese water dragons:
Increase humidity by misting your dragon's enclosure 1-2x/day with a large pressure sprayer or automatic misting system. Mist first thing in the morning and then again at night if needed.
Large adult Water Dragons will appear confident and friendly however they should not be approached as they have very sharp claws and can deliver a serious bite.
Feed juveniles daily; feed adults every 2 to 3 days. 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.
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.
Using gloves and/or a towel, you can restrain the dragon by its tail with one hand while supporting it from underneath with the other. 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.
Knowing the sex of your water dragon is important if you want to keep more than one in the same enclosure. Two mature males will fight, and these fights can often result in serious injury or even death. Two female dragons usually get along but they, too, can become territorial and may do better housed alone.
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.
At night, turn the basking light off and use a ceramic heater or night heat lamp to keep the entire habitat between 65 and 75 F (18 to 24 C). Chinese water dragons are diurnal (active during the day) and need simulated sunlight. Install a UVA/UVB bulb in the terrarium and keep it on for 12 hours.
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.
Water dragons should be regularly fed large insects such as woodies, crickets and mealworms. A lean, salt and fat reduced (less than 1.5%) dog food (not fish) can also be mixed in with vegetables, calcium supplements and vitamin supplements to form a staple part of their diet.
Like other reptiles, water dragons can carry Salmonella. Always wash your hands after handling reptiles or items from their enclosure. Chinese water dragons are known for rubbing their faces against glass and causing damage to their nose and face.