Australian Water Dragon Care sheet
Scientific Name:Physignathus lesueurii
Temperament: The Australian Water Dragon is an
impressive lizard. It is rare that Australian Water
Dragons will bite more often they will run if they
feel threatened. It is important to handle your
Australian Water Dragon with caution and patience
until he is used to you. Australian Water dragons
tend to be a little more skittish than other lizards.
With the right treatment and care, you will have an
impressive-looking pet that makes a great pet.
Longevity:
In captivity, the species can
probably live for as long as 25 or
even 28 years
Temperature:
Temperatures should be kept at 84°
- 88° F during the day with a basking
temperature of 90° to 95° F.
Night-time temperatures should be
kept at 75° - 80° F but they will
tolerate temperatures a lot lower
during winter months.
Appearance:
Males reach a total length of 2 ½ to 3 feet, and
females reach 2 to 2 ½ feet in total length. Males
get a crest in the neck region and they get a red
color on their belly and upper forearms,They have
larger heads than females and the black/white
design on the male’s head is very strongly
expressed Males have white lips and a deep black
band behind their eyes, Females have smaller
heads, dull white lips, a gray/black band behind
the eyes and white to pinkish bellies.
Terrarium: Baby's are best housed in a 29 gal tall tank with a shallow water dish and a few
climbing branches with paper towel for there substrate i try not to use to much in the baby's
cage so the crickets have less places to hide.
Adults : need a cage 2ft deep x 4ft wide x 4ft tall for one or two. I recommend 4' x 4' x 6' if you
plan to house 2-4 adults Substrate can be cypress mulch,sand,soil or indoor-outdoor
carpet. Many branches for climbing and a water area are a must.
Substrate:
A variety of substrates can be used for Australian Water Dragons. For Adults i recommend
Sterilized potting soil,Cypress mulch,indoor-outdoor carpet or sand For baby's i recommend
using Newspaper, paper towels or indoor-outdoor carpeting Never use Cedar or pine in the
cage due to toxicity concerns.
Defence:
When startled Australian Water Dragons often dive into the water and remain submerged. They
may remain submerged for over an hour. If water is not near They will often run Or open there
mouth at you.
Food
Most common types of food fed are Crickets,Meal worms and super worms but you may also feed
them cockroaches, earthworms, feeder fish, Shredded greens such as mustard ,collard ,green/red
leaf, Romain and other vegetables such as yellow squash, sweet potato green beans and carrots
can also be given. Some fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, banana, and various melons
can also be provided. Although some will not eat all these foods that are offered, however by giving
your lizard a variety of food you will have a healthier and happier lizard. If your lizard will not eat the
fruit/veggies or greens you should put them in with your crickets and gut load the crickets on them
first. Never feed iceberg lettuce Adults may eat pinky,fuzzy or hopper mice or pinky rats
Lighting:
Australian Water dragons require UVA and UVB lighting. If you keep your water dragon inside you
need a UVB lamp to provide ultraviolet radiation to the reptile. Please read and follow the
instructions that accompany the lamp. It is always important to place the lamp at the correct distance
as listed on the lamp's instructions. Above the lizard basking spot. Just 2 inches higher or lower will
greatly change the amount of ultraviolet rays that the lizard will absorb. Also keep in mind glass or
anything solid will filter out all of the UV rays and mesh will dramatically reduce the uvb rays
sometimes 50-75% depending on the size/type of mesh used buying a uvb meter is a great
investment in the health of your Lizards. Having a meter will also let you know when it is time to
replace your uvb light.
Range:
This species lives only in the far eastern part of Australia from Eastern Victoria in the South to Cairns,
Queensland, in the North. The range of this lizard is limited by
there need to have water basins (called billabong in Australia) or rivers very nearby.
and there must be a period of at least six months in which daytime maxima are 74*F or over.
Therefore this lizard is lacking in Cape York or Arnhemland. This species definitely does not occur in
New Guinea, as some importers have you believe.
DO you have Australian water
dragons? If you have baby's you are
looking to sell wholesale please email
reedsdragons@yahoo.com we are
looking for new bloodlines for our
breeding stock