Want to buy a baby water dragon for a pet? Find out what you need to know if you are planning on keeping a baby Chinese water dragon in your home.
The Chinese water dragon is not a mythological character originating from the Chinese culture. It is a real life reptile from the agamid family of lizards that is native to China and other Asian countries. These lizards have intrigued many people around the world who have become obsessed with the Chinese water dragon and often adopt a baby dragon as a pet.
The baby Chinese water dragon can grow up to a length of three feet in due time. The lizard is known for its calm personality and cool looks, which is one of the reasons it has become a popular choice for keeping as a pet. The nature of the lizard is such that it stays happy in captivity and has no problem eating or breeding while in captivity.
Diet
In its natural environment the baby Chinese water dragon feeds on different insects in order to get its daily dose of essential nutrients. It may also feed on plant material and fruits. When the lizard grows into its own it may even feed on small mice and fish. In captivity however the lizard is fed nutrient supplements that are readily available in the market in different forms.
In the world of zoology the water dragon is known as physignathus cocincinus. Around the world however the Chinese water dragon is also known as the Asian water dragon and the Green water dragon. Although the lizard is primarily native to southeastern Asia it is also found in the island country of Australia.
Physical Characteristics of the Dragon and the Ideal Enclosure
Your baby Chinese dragon has an average life expectancy that ranges from ten to twenty years. In this time span it will grow up to a length of three feet if it’s a male and two feet for females. The tail of the dragon is almost two thirds the size of its body.
The spectrum of colors that you will find the baby Chinese dragon to grow into ranges from extremely light hues of green to dark shades of the same color. The body features a unique pattern of alternating diagonal stripes of green. In some cases the stripes may appear to be turquoise in color.
From underneath the baby lizard will either be white or have a light tint of yellow or green. The most interesting element is the color variation that is found on the throats of these lizards. You will find the throats of these lizards to be sporting either a vibrant yellow, orange or peach color which makes it very hard to miss.
Generally, those wishing to keep a baby Chinese water dragon in their homes must provide it with a decent sized enclosure. You also have to make sure that you furnish the enclosure properly so as to avoid posing any danger to the lizard. Therefore the enclosure should have a balanced mix of sand, soil, paper or Astroturf and peat. You can also install different plants such as the staghorn, pothos, dracaena, hibiscus and ferns. Additionally the enclosure must also feature a water body so as to provide the essential humidity and playground for the baby Chinese water dragon.
