Chinese Water Dragons

[N4S]

I always liked the Australian Water Dragons better.

[Monty]

never seen them pics???

[Holbeird]

Here's the Chinese Water Dragon we had, we adopted him and decided to keep the name as we couldn't think of anything better (well, not that we could agree on) Anyway, here's Puff.

[Monty]

aww hes cute

[Mattman]

I personally love my Chinese water dragon Godzilla he eats crickets but he would rather have goldfish he actually refused to eat crickets the first month I showed him goldfishi added another and he was perfectly fine with that he's about 7 months and is already a foot and he's the nicest green with teal strips he's been near "oregano plants" and he was just as green.

[mackynz]

CWD's do not have diaphrams, and rely on their ribs pulsing to pump air in and out of their lungs. Upside down or on their back they cannot breathe!

I see that everywhere on forums, it's usually the same quote. Never seen it referenced from anywhere with an established reputation, no studies or anything (that I've seen) do you have a source for this?

I'm not saying it's wrong, I don't know either. It sounds kind of like tonic immobility to me.

[kc261]

I stupidly bought a Chinese water dragon way back in the days before you could get info on how to care for such things on the internet. I did what the pet store told me to do, and I don't know for sure what piece(s) were missing, but sadly the little guy only lived a few months in my care. While I had him, he was awesome. He seemed healthy the whole time and grew a fair amount, but went downhill very fast at the end. It broke my heart and I stayed from reptiles for a long time after that.

I would encourage anyone interested in them to do their research and be sure they can provide proper care, and then go ahead and get one.

[enchantress62]

I bought one a week ago and I have to admit it's been an adventure . I've never had a lizard before and he was a total impulse buy so I've spent the week researching and modifying his home to give him the best possible chance. Right now the best info I've found was through Trisha (web listed above) but I've also visited 3 reptile stores in my town and talked with people who have raised them. Apparently as adults, and as lizards go, they are pretty sweet that is they rarely bite but will give you a tail lashing if not handled properly.

My little guy is only 3" long right now but man is he energetic. My biggest handling problem is while cleaning his cage he runs up my arm onto my shoulder. I thought this was cute at first until he jumped off me onto the floor (I'm almost 6' tall) and tried to run behind the entertainment center that took my husband the better part of a day to build. Freaked me out! Now this is a regular game with him. So far he has not been hurt but it forces me to put him in another container during cleaning which he hates.

That aside, he has completely charmed me. I love the dinosaur quality in him as he chases crickets and I swear he thinks he's a water ballerina. In the water he puts on quite a show twirling, swimming, and diving.

Things I've learned this week are that lighting, diet, and humidity are vital to his health. Heating is important too but I live in Arizona so that's not hard to accomplish.

[MasonC2K]

We have had one for 2 years now. And he's an A rate A hole. Won't let you hold him and sometimes bites. We are working on a bigger custom cage for him so maybe with more room he'll calm down.

[aaront126]

I had one once but sadly in my youth I over fed him meal worms and I'm pretty sure he died of impaction the day before I had a vet appointment to have him looked at... one of those times you wish you resarched more on but that was probably 12 years ago and I've learned much more sense then including to do your research before you buy any reptile so you know what you're getting into. Maybe someday I'll get another and I'm sure it will be more successful than the first.