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Post by Grover on Jan 18, 2005 0:47:05 GMT -5
Well, here goes the first post!
My latest impulsive buy was a Chinese Water Dragon. I wanted something to replace the anoles I had before. First mistake: Bought the WD first, before the enclosure. "It" (not named yet) is in a 10 gallon creature cage. I've got another one lined up, will get it ASAP. Also got a couple lights and a T-stat in an EBay auction, should be here shortly.
He is about 14 inches head to tail. How old is that? He isn't eating very often..couple crickets a day (if that). I've put some lettuce in there, I'll try apple or banana tomorrow. Seems pretty lethargic right now. That stressed out? Sometimes he moves around, but not much. Could be the temperature, about 75 in the basking area.
Any hints here? Thanks!
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Post by DaremoAlpha on Jan 18, 2005 8:07:59 GMT -5
Yup heres a hint.
Raise the temp about 10 degrees in the basking area.
Give up on the fruits and veggies, most dragons just don't seem to borth with them.
Try Mealworms and or silkworms, at 14 inches get a couple very small pinkies to present to your dragon.
Maybe try a small feeder gold fis, just let it flop out the water right in front of the dragon to get its attention.
Yogurt might be something to try if you eat it too since you only try a very small amount.
I was told to try mango baby food, haven't yet but don't think it would hurt to give it a go.
At his size he is not going to be pleased being stuck in such a small tank, keep a very close watch on him for face rubbing against the glass, this is bad and can hurt them.
The others here will have other good ideas for you too and should be able to give you a good guess of age as well.
One last thing ( shoulda been the first )
\/\/elcome to the Board and hope you find yourself enjoying this little community.
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Post by dragosmom on Jan 18, 2005 9:41:59 GMT -5
At 14 inches (if his entire tail is intact) he/she could be 12-16 mo. old. Definitely lose the 10 gallon cage. You'll need 60 gal. MINIMUM (Go for 90 if you can afford it).
Provide clean water 2 times daily and mist him or give him a tub soak every day in 77-80F water.
You'll need: heat source, basking source, UVB fluorescent light, humidity and water sources , timer for lighting and LOTS of climby things. Good luck!
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Post by skjonnhet on Jan 18, 2005 10:29:12 GMT -5
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Jimi
Juvenile
Posts: 15
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Post by Jimi on Jan 18, 2005 17:02:36 GMT -5
Dude I cant even imagin that lizard in a 10 gallon. thats way to small. I sugges buying a 100gallon reptarium. much cheaper than a 55 gallon that he will grow out of. Than i would get a fogger. a little machine to make fog to make it look like the reinforest or something. reptaruim will be hard to keep the humitity up so the fogger will help alot.
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Post by Grover on Jan 19, 2005 0:19:35 GMT -5
Update on Pennywise: (well, he's got a name now).
Got a UVB florescent bulb. Seems to like that over the coil thing. Using a 100W bulb for a basking lamp. Got some mealworms, he's not into eating much, but I took him out of the cage (actually, he jumped out of it). I got him riled up a bit so he tried to bite, then crammed a couple mealworms down his throat. He didn't go for the veggies or crickets at all.
How do water dragons get along with other reptiles like geckos or anoles? Fight or eat them? Might as well try to get some variety in the enclosure.
I'm hoping to beg a company truck/wagon so I can get the new home back here tomorrow. It's a 55 gallon, but I'm already planning an addition.
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Post by dragosmom on Jan 19, 2005 9:29:58 GMT -5
Nix the variety. He'll eat the gecko or anole or small water dragon hatchlings even. You can put in a basilisk or perhaps an aussie, but that's about it.
Give him some time to adjust to his new surroundings.
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Post by MoMmYoF2DrAgOnS on Jan 19, 2005 14:10:44 GMT -5
Hiya ;D and WELCOME to the forums!!!Congrats on your new pet  I am sure you will find some wondeful ppl on here with GREAT advice!!You are going to love being a CWD parent! They are great. The very first thing I learned was to get a 'waterdragon bible'. Get a notebook, and anything you find helpful or that you would like to write down write it in there and you always have that to go back to reference to. I did this and LOVE it!! Now for my suggestions... Lettuce is not worth anything for a CWD. They get no nutrition value out of it(just water). If you want to try veggies try Collard Greens,Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens, dandylion leaves and flowers, Peas, Green Beans, Parsnips.Stay AWAY from lettuce family, and away from the Cabbage family(no broccoli or cauliflower). Although most CWD's do NOT like and will NOT eat veggies you could give it a try. Live foods are what they like most and some that are good to try are... Crickets, Locusts, Butterworms, silkworms, earthworms a.k.a night crawlers, mealworms, superworms, feeder fish, good treats are pinkies, and waxworms. I would watch force feeding. It is winter, most waterdragons, especially females appetites have decreased. As long as he is eating some things then it is not necessary to force feed him. He is in a new home, it is winter it is not abnormal for him to not want to eat much. the main thing is to make sure he is drinking and staying hydrated. Like Dragos mom said.. he will eat smaller reptiles, not a good thing to mix species with a CWD anyway. Although you want variety your CWD does not need it, and is better stresswise not to have it. Hope I helped and once again.. Welcome to the forums. ASk questions, there is never a dumb question, everyone here will do their best to help you. Keep us updated on how he does. *a lil side note: To make the crickets easier to catch you can pluck off the back "jumper legs" so they cannot jump and move as fast.* - I did this and it works very well!(Thanks to Kiley) ;D |
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Post by Grover on Jan 19, 2005 21:44:15 GMT -5
Got him into the new house. He finally warmed up to eating. Downed three crickets while I was unloading the new enclosure. Moved him into the new house, now he has to start it all over again!
I found a couple climbing sticks for him out in the yard. I just cleaned them up with some bleachy water. Once they dry out I'll put them in there so he can have some more toys.
The two extra lights should be here shortly. I'll probably do one UV bulb (not the greatest source, but I've got the fluorescent as well.)
-Chris
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Post by jamesobrady on Jan 20, 2005 5:17:34 GMT -5
Just on the "bleachy water" thing....make sure you use a brand like Milton or something you would use to clean baby bottles etc......something like Domestos or a bathroom bleach brand can give off harmful fumes when the item it was used to clean heats up...even after it was well rinsed off with water! Oh and be sure the sticks you found arent pine or cedar.....which are toxic to reptiles. My brother found this out the hard way by putting a load of pine branches in the viv and then wondered why it wasnt eating and looked unhealthy!
You live, you learn.
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Post by Pooka on Jan 21, 2005 13:21:23 GMT -5
Sounds like your on your way grover Just a word of warning for you... some dragons are really picky about there views and enviroments. If you notice your dragon behaving abnormally, hiding, not eating as much or snout rubbing be aware that even slight chnages to her enviroment can cause her to get weirded out. New sticks, rocks, or even a moved vine is always noticed. Some dragons are bothered by it, others are not even phased. I use color and appetite to determine if mine is angry with me for moving stuff. Also, chnages in the room they can see from the cage are also noticed. Just wanted to share that with you as your doing alot of things to adjust and get all setup. |
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Post by DaremoAlpha on Jan 21, 2005 18:05:46 GMT -5
Hahaha I use body posture and if Awol is chewing on me to determin if he is mad at me.
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I am sure you will find some wondeful ppl on here with GREAT advice!!You are going to love being a CWD parent! They are great.
