just got my first cwd

[kkierstead]

This is my first time owning any type of lizard. I have been keeping snakes a few years now. Of course they are a lot different. I just got my new little guy last week and he is starting to settle down a bit. I was just wondering if there is any way to get him to eat more than just a couple of crickets a day. I have tried mealworms and feeder fish, but he could care less about them, and of course he wont touch his fruits and veggies. Could it be that he still needs time to adjust to his new home? Any help would be great.

Thanks Kim

[DaremoAlpha]

Just keep offering food items to him and make sure to dust them with calcium. Sooner or later your dragon will try something else too and find out it likes it

[kkierstead]

Thanks. I'm concerned ubout the remaining crickets in his cage. Will they bother him? Also when I mist his cage they get rinsed off.

Thaks Kim

[wdm]

It does take them a while to get use to a new place. Also I know with my girls they get on different food item kicks, the girls spent months where they wouldn't touch a cricket. Now I have a big area where I can let the crickets loose and they hunt them, yesterday Cronus ate 12 in a row. Seems that they really like to hunt. Considering most don't have cages as big as the girls home if you can find a kids pool you could feed your baby in that letting the buggies loose for him to hunt that might help.

[kkierstead]

When you say you have a big area for the girls to hunt, Do oyu mean the whole cage or is it seperated? My little guy is in a 75 gallon tank. The crickets also kepp hiding under the leaves and bowls. I think he's still just to nervous to hunt yet. When I first put the crickets in he will grab one or two, then he just lets the others go over and under them. He was a little thin when I brought him home. He does semm to have filled in a little though, and he's turned a brighter green. I would think that is a good sign?

Thanks Kim

[wdm]

My girls have a big cage (6x4x4 lenth, height, width and getting a bigger one soon 12x4x4) I have a tub in it that has plants and dirt I just kept the dirt level down to where the crickets can't jump out and let them hunt there.

[kkierstead]

That is a great idea. Thank you so much. I want to make sure he's a happy little guy. There is a lot more to water dragons than with my snakes. I have a lot to learn. I think It's great how everyone helps out here.

Thank Kim

[kkierstead]

I have another question. How long do you think my cwd (loki) will be happy in the 75 gallon tank?

[wdm]

They say that as long as it is longer and wider than the dragon it is ok. I got a better question, seeing as we fall in love with our dragons how long can you stand to see him in a 75 gal? I think I made it about 2 months before I built the big cage, if you look under chinese waterdragons girls new home you will see what we are building for them now. If you check out my website www.geocities.com/valntyn13 you will see the home they are in now

[Zekey]

First, I want to say congrats to Kim!! Sounds like you are doing great & getting great advise!!

Second, I want to say to wdm.....WOW! I just went over your website & it is AWSOME! Great photo's & information!! I love your format & the way you explained & then showed a photo as a visual aid was PERFECT! I got some AWSOME idea's for Zeke & am SOOOOOO excited! Thank you!! Also, I LOVE Trisha's site also & go to it often when I have a question!!!

[garrrimalizard]

For anyone who cant get there WD to eat veggies and they can hand feed them, try getting small long pieces that look like worms and wiggle it in front of them, it works great for my WD, and now he eat it in big chunks, any body who gets it to work let me know and good luck with your 1st water dragon they are great!

[marcdarep]

water dragons are gr8 i hav 1 and they are so much fun they arnt that hard too look after they get use 2 there home after a while mines ok its just it dont lik me handeling it:(