You have probably been thinking about getting a Chinese water dragon as a pet. Yes, they are gorgeous lizards, but do Chinese water dragons make good pets? In this post, you will find out whether Chinese water dragons are good pets, good pets for beginners, easy to take care of, and find pros and cons of these lizards.
In general, Chinese water dragons make good pets, but not for beginners. They have specific care requirements, such as humidity and big caging, that will require dedication and regular care.
Pros of Chinese water dragons as pets
#1: Chinese water dragons are gorgeous lizards
Let’s begin by saying that Chinese water dragons are truly stunning and gorgeous lizards. Their coloration, large size, long tail, curious eyes and spikes make them very attractive lizards. Even just for their looks, Chinese water dragons can make amazing display pets (with occasional handling).
#2: They are entertaining, friendly and rarely bite
Most Chinese water dragons will become tolerant of handling and be happy to sit on your hand, lap or shoulder. While in the beginning you will have to work with your water dragon to make it trust you, most become friendly and docile.
Even though some Chinese water dragons like handling less than others, they rarely bite their owners. That is another great thing about Chinese water dragons – they do not like showing aggression towards their keepers. If very stressed, they might tail whip or try to run away, but biting is always the last option.
What is more, Chinese water dragons are very active, interactive and curious. They like climbing the branches, soaking or swimming and basking. If you dragon proof a room, you might also let it roam around and watch its behaviors and personality.
#3: Manageable care
While Chinese water dragons require an initial setup that can be expensive and challenging to put together, the day to day care activities will be similar and can be learned. Once to twice a week, you will have to refresh the water in the swimming tub (also have a filter).
Also, Chinese water dragons only need to eat once in 2-3 days. Misting can be managed with foggers/misting systems on a timer. While care is manageable, it is not the easiest, so please read all about their needs before you get a Chinese water dragon.
#4: Chinese water dragons can live in groups
Chinese water dragons can live in groups, which is a good thing. The best combination is often a male with 1 or two females. Two females might not get along, but it can be possible (will depend on a personality). Two males will get competitive and aggressive towards each other.
If you decide to keep 2 Chinese water dragons, the cage must be at least 6 feet long x 4 feet deep x 6 feet high. For a trio, add another 0.5-1 foot on each side.
However, to find out your Chinese water dragon’s gender, it has to be around 1.5 years old, at least 16-17 inches (41-43 cm) long. If you get babies and they turn out to be males, you will have to separate them. Also, please do not mix species (or keep Chinese water dragons with other reptiles).
Cons of Chinese water dragons as pets
#1: Chinese water dragons require large enclosures
If you get a small Chinese water dragon, you can keep it in a 50-60 gallon tank for the first year of its life. But please remember, that Chinese water dragons reach around 2.5 feet long (females) and up to 3 feet long (males).
That means, that a single adult Chinese water dragon requires a tank that is at least 4 feet long x 3 feet deep x 5 feet high. Preferably, the tank has to be 5x4x6 (x2 larger than your dragon’s full size).
The downside here is that it can be hard to find a tank this size for sale. If you have good building skills, you might build one yourself. Or, you might DIY a cage by joining 2 smaller cages. Whatever it is, you will have to prepare an adult cage by the time your dragon turns 12 months old.
If you would like to see DIY cage ideas for Chinese water dragons and building tips, see this post.
#2: They need live food
Chinese water dragons are omnivorous – babies will mainly eat live bugs. As your Chinese water dragon grows, it will eat less bugs. But however, Chinese water dragons require a lot of various live feeder bugs to be happy and healthy. They can become bored if you feed the same type of insects all the time. From time to time, you can also offer a fuzzy/pinky mice.
Requirement for live foods means that you will have to regularly buy or breed your own crickets, worms, roaches etc. You will also have to gut-load them for at least 24-48 hours before feeding.
#3: Chinese water dragons require a soaking/swimming area
When setting up a habitat for your Chinese water dragon, you will have to include a water tub on the bottom of the tank. The tub will have to be large enough for your dragon to fit in and soak, or even swim. Some owners decide to create a separated pond area, but this is harder to setup and clean.
On top of a water bucket for soaking, you will have filter it (and sometimes heat it). Heating the water is important because cold water can cause muscle weakness in your water dragons, leading to drowning. Heating can be done with lamps or a submersible water heater.
Filtering the water is also important, because your dragon will soak in it a lot. What is more, Chinese water dragons tend to poop in water. So, you will have to install 1-2 filters + refresh the water manually around 2 times a week.
#4: Chinese water dragons require high humidity levels
Another thing to remember is that Chinese water dragons require high humidity levels in the cage. The ideal humidity levels in the cage is 65-80% When misting the cage, humidity might raise to 90-100%, but you should then allow it to dry and humidity to fall back to 60-65% before misting again.
Thankfully, there are reptile misting systems or foggers like this that you can get, and it will mist the tank for you. Keeping humidity optimal might be harder with open screen tanks.
#5: Chinese water dragons can be shy
Chinese water dragons are shy by nature. While you can regularly handle your dragon to make it docile, it might still be scared of other pets that you have. So, if you have other pets in the house (dogs, cats), it might be harder for you. But once again, it’s not always the case.
Other pets might tip the lights or cause your water dragon stress. Chinese water dragons are also fast, and can escape easily. So, you must not let your pets accidentally release your dragon.
Apart from that, Chinese water dragons are also known for running into glass and rubbing their snouts. That is because Chinese water dragons don’t understand the concept of glass. But some also run into solid walls.
However, this minimizes when your dragon gets more used to its surroundings. To prevent snout banging, you need to cover the walls with a background and include lots of plants and branches on the sides. Covering few inches of the cage’s bottom will also show your dragon that there is a barrier.
#6: Many Chinese water dragons are imported
If you decide to get a Chinese water dragon, always strive to get a captive bred one. That is because many Chinese water dragons are still wild caught and imported.
Those animals always tend to be weaker, dehydrated, stressed and infected with parasites. When getting a wild caught Chinese water dragon, you will have to take it to the vet for check-ups and treat any existing problems.
So, when getting a Chinese water dragon, always strive to find a captive bred one. That is especially true if you are not an experienced keeper.
Summary – are Chinese water dragons good pets?
To summarize, Chinese water dragons are amazing pet lizards – they are beautiful, friendly and docile. However, they have specific care requirements that you have to be ready for. Variety of foods, high humidity levels, having a soaking tub and refreshing the water, large enclosure are the main needs.
Before getting a Chinese water dragon, please learn about their needs and setup a tank. Otherwise, your dragon might become a burden.
While Chinese water dragons are not generally recommended for beginners, everything can be learnt if you put your mind to it. Research about their needs and prepare carefully before bringing one home.
If you have patience and dedication to care for your lizard for the next 10-15 years, then a gorgeous Chinese water dragon might be for you.
To read all about Chinese water dragon care requirements, please see this resource page where you can find various articles.