Herpetology - Captive Breeding

Thai Water Dragon (Physignathus cocinchinus)

Amongst the various herptiles I keep, like most people I have favourites. One of these, the Sand Lizard, you will have to refer to my Conservation pages to see. But the other - the Thai Water Dragon does figure here.

These beautiful large Agamids really do repay proper accomodation and care in their behaviour and breeding. I have a large colony split between two vivaria - one for adults measuring 3m(H) x 2m x 2m and one for youngsters measuring 2m(H) x 1.8m x 1.3m. Both have a large pond and waterfall and dense vegetation. Filtered daylight comes through a twinwall polycarbonate roof. These lizards, unlike many, are not great baskers - and, in fact will actively avoid UV (black)light. The name "Water" Dragon is no misnomer. They are excellent swimmers and one of the greatest joys is watching them take turns to have a shower under the waterfall followed by a bath every morning - following a strict pecking order.

The vivaria are shared with other species including Banded Basilisks (Basiliscus vittatus) and Plumed Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons). Due to the roofing there is a very wide variance between summer and winter daylight hours and, despite adequate heating seasonal temperatures as well. This I have found seems to only contribute to the well-being of the lizards, all of which thrive and breed repeatedly each year despite winter temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 50 degees F..

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Link to Tricia's Water Dragon Page - a good place to find out more about Water Dragons