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Chinese Water Dragon
Physignathus cocincinus
Also called Asian Water Dragon, Indochinese Water Dragon, Thai Water Dragon, Green Water Dragon
From Southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan) and mainland South-East Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, eastern Thailand). Lives in humid evergreen forest along freshwater streams, mostly at low elevations.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Maximum weights: males up to about 0.6 kg, females up to about 0.25 kg.
Looks how to spot one
Small scales with a crested back and long banded tail
A sleek, bright green agamid with a flattened-sided body and a very long tail that makes up well over two-thirds of its length. The tail is ringed in light green and dark brown. Adults often have a yellow or orange throat, and males show off taller crests along the neck and tail plus chunky jowls. Youngsters carry fine green or turquoise diagonal stripes.12
Personality what they are like
Alert and quick to react, with a natural instinct to dash to water when surprised. With persistent, gentle handling many water dragons settle down, though they are often happiest admired in a well-planted enclosure rather than taken out a lot.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active by day and semi-arboreal, climbing branches and taking regular swims. It needs a tall enclosure with plenty of sturdy perches and a large pool.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Mist daily to keep humidity up and keep the pool water clean. Use a quality UVB tube positioned so the dragon's back is about 30-38 cm below it while basking, plus bright full-spectrum lighting.2
Home where they are happiest
Minimum enclosure about 180 x 90 x 180 cm (6 x 3 x 6 ft), front-opening and well ventilated, with a pool of at least about 250 litres (65 US gallons). Basking area 32-35 °C, cool side 25-30 °C and 24-25 °C at night. Daytime humidity around 60-80%.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mainly insect-eating with some greens. Hatchlings get insects daily; juveniles insects and salad every other day; adults insects every three to five days with a small salad offered daily. Wild dragons eat termites, ants, crickets, worms, snails and occasional plant matter.21
Company who they like around
Best kept on its own. Males are territorial; females are more tolerant, but sharing an enclosure is only for breeding setups in a much larger space.21
The story where it all began
Georges Cuvier described the species in 1829. It is now the only member of its genus, and its closest relatives are Australian dragons from which its lineage split around 30 million years ago. It has long been a familiar lizard in the reptile hobby in Europe and North America.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
When startled it leaps into the nearest stream and can stay underwater for up to about 90 minutes.1
- 2
At night it sleeps on branches that hang over the water, ready for a quick escape.1
- 3
A female at the Smithsonian's National Zoo produced young without a mate, the first known case of a virgin birth in an agamid lizard.1
- 4
Its tail accounts for more than 70% of its total length.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable (listed since 2017).1
- CITES
- Appendix II since 2023, so international trade is regulated.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Chinese Water Dragon. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Chinese Water Dragon?
Hatchlings need insects daily, juveniles get insects and salad every other day, and adults eat insects every three to five days with a small salad offered daily. Always follow the food label and your vet's advice for amounts.21 Furry Diary plan
What does a Chinese Water Dragon eat, and what should it never eat?
They mainly eat insects like crickets and worms, plus some greens and plant matter. Never feed them wild-caught insects or anything toxic to reptiles; ask your vet for a safe list.21
How much space does a Chinese Water Dragon need?
A minimum enclosure of about 180 x 90 x 180 cm (6 x 3 x 6 ft) is recommended, with a large pool of at least 250 litres (65 US gallons). It should be tall, front-opening, and well ventilated.2
What temperature, light or water does a Chinese Water Dragon need?
Basking area should be 32-35 °C, cool side 25-30 °C, and night temps 24-25 °C. Daytime humidity around 60-80% is needed, with a quality UVB tube placed 30-38 cm from the dragon's back while basking.2
How often should I clean a Chinese Water Dragon's home?
Spot clean daily and do a full clean every 30 days. Keep the pool water clean and mist daily to maintain humidity.2 Furry Diary plan
Can a Chinese Water Dragon live with others?
It's best kept on its own. Males are territorial, and females are more tolerant, but sharing an enclosure is only for breeding setups in a much larger space.21
How long does a Chinese Water Dragon live?
With proper care, they typically live 10 to 15 years. Good habitat and diet are key to a long life.21
Can I handle a Chinese Water Dragon?
They are alert and quick to react, often happier admired in a well-planted enclosure. With persistent, gentle handling many settle down, but they can be stressed by too much handling.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Chinese water dragon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, weight, lifespan, appearance, diet, behaviour, taxonomy, IUCN and CITES status, fun facts
- Chinese Water Dragon Care Guide - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for size, lifespan, enclosure, temperatures, humidity, UVB, pool, diet schedule, social housing, temperament
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.