- Live feeder insects and some whole prey – 80% (up to 85% for young Chinese water dragons of up to 12 months old). ...
- Vegetables and greens – 15%
- Fruit – up to 5%
- Mice/baby rats of appropriate size – 1-2 times a month
What kind of fruit do water dragons eat?
This means they can eat some fruits and veggies as well. They won’t really like to eat them but it’s good for their health. They can eat carrots, collard greens, sweet potatoes, raspberries, figs, blueberries, and some other fruits and greens.
Are water dragons easy to take care of?
Yes, Chinese water dragons make good pets, due to their large size, interesting personality, docility, handling tolerance and ability to become tame. They are not mean and rarely bite, and babies tend to tame out with handling. Are Chinese water dragons easy to care for? No, Chinese water dragons are not easy to take care for.
Do water dragons get along with other water dragons?
Water dragons ( Draco aquarius) are among the most gentle and noble dragons. They are friendly to nearly all dragon species (except Fire Dragons) and are rather shy and seclusive but are a truly beautiful sight if you are lucky enough to spot one. These dragons do not like to be bossed around and will attack if needed.
What fish can Chinese water dragons eat?
So, What Do Chinese Water Dragons Eat?
- They are omnivores, so they need a mix of insects, worms, fruit, and vegetables. You should also provide adult animals with bigger meals, like mice or small fish.
- Chinese Water Dragons are picky. ...
- To make sure they stay healthy, consider “gut loaded” insects and a calcium supplement.
- Change the water at least once a day.
What is a water dragons favorite food?
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.
What vegetables can a Chinese water dragon eat?
Best vegetables and greens list to feed your Chinese water dragonCollard greens.Fresh alfalfa (not dried)Dandelion flowers and greens.Mustard greens.Prickly pear.Butternut squash.Turnip greens.Spaghetti squash.More items...
How often should you feed a Chinese water dragon?
every two to three daysJuvenile Chinese water dragons need to be fed more frequently than adults to promote healthy growth, while adults require fewer feedings. Juveniles usually require daily feedings, while adults may only need to be fed every two to three days.
Do Chinese water dragons need live food?
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.
Do water dragons eat snails?
Another optional feeder for your water dragon are snails and mollusks, they can even eat crustaceans such as crab meat and small feeder fish, but there is not much information on how much of these they actually need in their diet since they do not consume them in the wild, but generally, these can be fed like pinkie ...
How long can a Chinese water dragon go without eating?
In general, Chinese water dragons are shy creatures, but get used to their new environment and owners with time. If you have just got your Chinese water dragon, it will be scared and shy. Most new lizards don't eat for the first 1-2 weeks.
What vegetables can water dragons eat?
Vegetables and fruits can be fed 2–3 times/week and should add up to no more than 10–15% of your dragon's total diet; acceptable vegetables include leafy greens, such as kale, romaine, dandelion and mustard greens, along with squash, sweet potato, carrots and green beans, and acceptable fruits include smaller amounts ...
How many crickets does a water dragon eat?
If he's over 60 g throw in about 50 medium crickets.
Do water dragons sleep a lot?
If your Chinese water dragon is stressed, it's likely to not move around much, sleep a lot and stay in the same spot for long periods of time. Not only new Chinese water dragons can get stressed. Other pets, loud noises, wrong setup, other cage mates and even a sickness can cause stress.
Can 2 water dragons live together?
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.
How do you know if a water dragon is dying?
Signs of sickness in Chinese water dragonsLethargy, not moving around much.Sleeping all the time.Blisters or raised patches on the skin (might be filled with fluid)Vomiting.Weight loss.Blood in poop.Runny and extra smelly poop for more than 2 days.Sunken eyes.More items...
Do water dragons need a heat lamp?
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).
What vegetables can water dragons eat?
Vegetables and fruits can be fed 2–3 times/week and should add up to no more than 10–15% of your dragon's total diet; acceptable vegetables include leafy greens, such as kale, romaine, dandelion and mustard greens, along with squash, sweet potato, carrots and green beans, and acceptable fruits include smaller amounts ...
What do Australian water dragons eat?
The Australian water dragon's diet depends on its size. Juveniles and yearlings tend to feed on spiders and small insects such as ants, crickets, and caterpillars. When they get bigger, so does their prey. An adult diet includes small rodents such as baby mice, although insects are still the most commonly consumed.
Can water dragons eat cockroaches?
Every now and again you might want to provide your dragon a treat, for this purpose you could feed: waxworms, calciworms, cockroaches, mealworms or beetle grubs.
Can Chinese water dragons have Kiwi?
Fruits and vegetables You can give the pet things such as apples, raspberries, figs, kiwi, melons, strawberries when it comes to fruits. Unlike vegetables, you should limit the fruit intake. You can use them as occasional treats. Whatever you give your Chinese water dragon, make sure it is properly cut.
What do water dragons eat?
A Chinese water dragon’s diet mainly consists of live organisms, such as crickets, roaches, worm s, pinkie mice, and goldfish. Water dragons can also eat some leafy greens and certain fruits.
How to feed a dragon?
Only feed your dragon the high-quality fruits and vegetables that you would eat yourself. Wash all produce and make sure it’s pesticide-free. Chop up leafy greens and bulky produce to make it easier to digest. Discard any uneaten fruits or vegetables within 24 hours. The decaying produce can cause intestinal issues if the dragon eats them.
How Often Should You Feed A Chinese Water Dragon?
Feeding schedules mainly depend on the age of the Chinese water dragon. A baby’s diet will vary significantly from an adult’s food schedule. Implementing the best feeding schedule for your reptile will ensure it grows and flourishes.
How long do water dragons live?
When cared for correctly, Chinese water dragons can live up to 20 years, so be sure to give them the best foods possible! They are omnivorous creatures (they eat living things and vegetables), but their diet is 90-95 percent living things consisting of mostly insects. Only about 10 or 15 percent of your dragon’s diet should be vegetables (Source: PetMD).
Can dragons eat worms?
Feed worms in moderation (another good reason to vary the diet). Worms’ exoskeleton is indigestible. Consuming too much at once can cause some severe stomach illnesses. Don’t feed your dragon wild-caught insects – they don’t have the right nutrients and can carry potentially fatal diseases.
Do water dragons need calcium supplements?
Juvenile and hatchling water dragons need more supplements than adults. Consult your vet for the best calcium supplements to feed your growing reptile. In general , you should consult your vet before giving your water dragon supplements.
Can dragons drink bottled water?
Water needs to be chlorine- and metal-free. Never give your dragon un filtered tap water; bottled spring water is the best to ensure there aren’t any added chemicals in the water. You will also want to avoid using distilled water as well.
What to feed your Chinese water dragon?
Their diet consists of 85 – 90 percent protein and 10-15 percent fruits and veggies.
What do Chinese water dragons eat?
So, they’re friendly and great pets. But, what do Chinese water dragons eat? Well, just like most lizards they’re diet consists of mostly live insects. This includes crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, mealworms, etc. You can also add some small amounts of veggies and ripe fruits in their diet.
How to grow a water dragon?
Baby water dragons will need daily feeding to grow fast. Add fruits and veggies to their diet for better nutrition. Mix up their menu often to prevent monotony. Provide enough water for them to drink and splash around. The water container should be at least twice as tall as them. Replace the water regularly.
Why is it important to keep a dog's diet varied?
Maintaining variety in their diet is important for keeping them happy and healthy. Feeding the same thing all day every day will eventually bore them out. They may even refuse to eat as a result.
Do water dragons need calcium?
Not getting enough calcium may lead to diminished bone density and various metabolic diseases. So, mixing calcium powder with their diet is necessary for ensuring your water dragon’s health.
Do Chinese water dragons eat vegetables?
Chinese water dragons are omnivores. This means they can eat some fruits and veggies as well. They won’t really like to eat them but it’s good for their health.
What Insects Should A Chinese Water Dragon Eat?
Chinese Water Dragons need a diverse range of feeders on offer; the majority of their menu consists of insects, but what insects should you be feeding your pet? Below is a comprehensive list of insects that can be offered to your Chinese Water Dragon.
Small Game, Mice, and Fish
Chinese water dragons are able to consume small prey items like pinkie mice, you may hear of "feeder lizards" being advocated as an optional feeder, but this isn't a necessary part of their diet and is up to you if you wish to incorporate them.
What Vegetables Does A Chinese Water Dragon Eat
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.
How Often Should Water Dragons Eat?
The age of your Chinese water dragon determines how much they need to eat every feeding. Baby dragons need feeding daily, and their food must be cut up into small pieces, the size of their feeder insects also needs to be small sizes, to enable them to be able to eat and digest.
Supplementation
One of the other most important aspects of their diet are supplements. They need three different types; a calcium powder supplement, calcium powder with D3, and a multivitamin powder. These need to be rotated, but only need one of their meals dusted per day, with one of the different supplements.
How often should I feed my water dragon?
Feed daily. Frozen/thawed pinkies should only be fed occasionally to adult water dragons. Sprinkle food with calcium supplement daily and a multi-vitamin supplement once or twice a week. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be discarded.
How much humidity do water dragons need?
A minimum of a 40 gallon breeder is recommended for adult water dragons. Habitat - Provide multiple hiding areas and branches for basking. Maintain 60 to 80% humidity by misting as needed every day. Substrate - Use a mulchtype such as coconut fiber or repti-bark.
How do water dragons shed?
Water dragons regularly shed their skin, so ensure humidity of habitat is at appropriate level to allow proper shedding. To facilitate shedding, bathe in a large container that allows the water dragon to immerse its entire body or provide a shed box, a hide box with sphagnum moss, that will aid in the shedding process.
Where do water dragons live?
Water Dragon. physignathus cocincinus. Found in tropical rain forests, usually close to a water source. Water dragons are arboreal and need plenty of space. They are capable of changing shades of colors between green and brown, depending on the temperature.
What insects do cockroaches eat?
A variety of insects, including crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms and earthworms; frozen/thawed pinkie mice and small common goldfish. 10 to 15% of diet should include dark, leafy greens and fruits.
How to keep Chinese water dragons healthy?
A kitty litter box works nicely, but if you can, you should designate half of the enclosure to water and the other half as a beach area (using the substrates to create a shore). You need to be able to remove and clean the water tub daily, especially if your dragon uses it for a toilet. Otherwise, you will need to have a quality water filter. The humidity should be kept at around 80 percent. Mist the enclosure once or twice daily as needed. Potted live plants can help keep humidity up as well.
What color are Chinese water dragons?
Chinese water dragons range from a dark to quite light green. They have vertical, slanted stripes of green or turquoise on their bodies. Their bellies are white or pale yellow, and their throats are a blend of yellow, orange, and peach. The long tail is narrow and banded with green and brown. Adult males have larger heads than females, ...
Why do water dragons bang their noses?
There are a few common health problems seen in Chinese water dragons, including: Mouth Rot: This is the most common issue and the result of an improperly treated infection or injury. A water dragon often rubs or bangs its head, nose, or chin onto the enclosure walls.
Why do Chinese water dragons bite?
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.
What to put in a potting soil tank?
Sterilized potting soil (no vermiculite or chemicals) with a cover of sphagnum moss (good for humidity) as well as a mixture of peat, soil, and sand, soil and cypress mulch, indoor/outdoor carpeting, or paper. Plenty of branches should be provided for climbing and basking (place some diagonally and some horizontally for basking). Live plants such as pothos, dracaena, hibiscus, ficus, and staghorn ferns make a good addition.
What is the cause of a dragon's bone disease?
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This often fatal condition is caused by a lack of calcium in the dragon’s diet or inadequate exposure to UVB light. Skin infections and parasites: Skin infections occur on the outside of the body and are usually a result of a dirty, poorly maintained cage.
How big do water dragons get?
COMMON NAMES: Chinese water dragon, water dragon, green water dragon, Asian water dragon, and Thai water dragon (not to be confused with the Australian water dragon) ADULT SIZE: Male adults reach about 3 feet, while females average 2 feet long; a large portion of the overall length is made up of the tail.
What are the best foods for water dragons?
Greens are a powerful source of nutrition for water dragons. They also provide bulk and vitamins to a gut loading diet. Greens generally can be divided into three categories, staple, occasional rare and never foods. To make a green an every day green it must be rich in nutrients like calcium, low in phosphorus and low in anti-nutrients like oxalates and goitrogens. Occasional greens are rich in nutrients, but contain too high a level of oxalates or goitrogens to be feed every day. Rare greens have very high oxalates and goitrogens. They should be avoided. Never greens have high phosphorus, low calcium and sometimes have high oxalates.
What do water dragons eat?
The insects fed should also be low in fat content. Water dragons eat a wide variety of insects in the wild including ants, cicadas, and mosquitoes (Anonymous 1976). Captive animals are likely to become bored of one or two insect species. Ensure that a wide variety of insects are fed.
What is the best calcium supplement for insects?
The calcium supplement fed to insects should include vitamin D3 to ensure that the insects can process the calcium. The calcium recommendations for gut loading are based on the Finke (2003) study that recommends 3-9% elemental calcium in a gut loading diet, depending on the insect species.
What are the nutrients that water dragons need?
Most commercially raised insects are deficient in several nutrients, including calcium, thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin A and vitamin E.
What is the best diet for leopard geckos?
Gut loading insects is critical for leopard geckos because all of their diet comes from insects. The food for gut loading should be 20% calcium, 50% greens, 10% vitamin/mineral supplement and 20% vegetables, by weight. This diet should be fed to the insects for at least 48 hours.
What is the food pyramid for water dragons?
The water dragon food pyramid is designed to be a user-friendly guide. The diagram in the insect section shows how feeder insects should be properly gut loaded for a water dragon. These amounts are proportioned by weight.
How much protein do water dragons need?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, omnivorous reptiles need a diet of 20-25% protein, 3-6% fat and 20-35% fiber on a dry matter basis. According to this manual carnivorous reptiles need 30-50% protein. Considering water dragons are almost carnivorous the target for protein is at least 30%.
What do water dragons eat?
Water dragons are omnivores. They feed both on plant and animal matter. While in the wild, they will prey on insects, small mammals, reptiles, and fish as well as some plants and flowers.
What animals can you feed dragons?
Small fish, reptiles, and mammals – They include common goldfish and other feeder fish, pink ie mice, fuzzy mice, and other small reptiles, fish, and mammals. Feed them as only as treats 1-2 times a week to adult dragons. Others – worms including earthworms and nightcrawlers. 2.
How big should a fish tank be for a water dragon?
Ideal tank size should be: Small water dragons or hatchlings – Hatchlings can stay in a 20+ gallon fish tank. If 1 foot long – go for at least a 2 ft long by 1 ft wide by 2 ft tall enclosure. If 2 feet long – your tank should be 3 ft long by 2 ft broad by 3 ft tall.
What percentage of insects should be eaten daily?
Insects and other small animals should account for 85-90% of their daily diets. Some of the popular insects and small animals to feed them include:
How big is a water dragon?
When choosing the right cage or tank size water dragons, you need to understand that a fully grown water dragon measure up to 3 meters in length, especially males.
Can you give Asian water dragons distilled water?
Finally, sometimes, they may soak themselves in a water bowl if you don’t have a soaking bowl or pool. 4. Food not to give your Asian water dragon.
Do water dragons drink water?
Water dragons should have access to clean, fresh drinking water always. Their water should be free of chlorine and heavy metals. Go for unflavored bottled drinking water, filtered water, or conditioned by ReptiSafe. However, avoid distilled water as it lacks some essential minerals present in water.
