Reptile Vault
Care Sheet
Generated May 18, 2026
reptilevault.com
Chinese Water Dragon
Physignathus cocincinus
The Chinese water dragon is an impressive semi-aquatic lizard appealing to keepers wanting something similar to a green iguana but more manageable. These striking green lizards reach 2-3 feet and are known for beautiful crests, alert personalities, and love of water. They require large, tall enclosures with substantial water features and high humidity. The main challenge is snout rub - facial damage from rubbing on enclosure walls. They can become tame but remain more skittish than bearded dragons.
Quick Facts
Care Level
intermediate
Adult Size
2-3 feet
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet Type
omnivore
Activity
diurnal
Temperament
skittish
Group
lizard
Origin
Southeast Asia
Beginner Suitability
First Reptile?no
Beginner Score5/10
⚠ Beginner Warnings
Large enclosure with water needed, snout rub common, high humidity requirements
Temperament & Handling
Temperamentskittish
Handling Tolerancemoderate
Handling Notes
Can become tame but more skittish than bearded dragons. May jump.
Temperature & Humidity
Temperature
Basking95°F
Ambient82°F
Night75°F
Basking 90-95°F, ambient 80-85°F. Night above 75°F.
Humidity
Target Range70% – 80%
High humidity 70-80% essential.
Lighting & UVB
UVB RequiredYes — Required
Target UVI3.0-4.0
Lighting Notes
Ferguson Zone 3. T5 10-12% UVB essential.
Enclosure
Minimum Size4x3x5 ft tall
Recommended Size6x4x6 ft with water feature
Enclosure Typesemi arboreal
Substrate & Environment
Substrate TypeCoconut fiber or cypress holding humidity.
Substrate Depth3-4 inches
Water Featureyes
Water Notes
Large water area for swimming. 4-6 inches deep minimum.
Activity & Behavior
Activity Patterndiurnal
Social Behaviorsolitary
Cohabitation
Males territorial. Female pairs possible in large enclosures.
Chinese Water Dragon
Care Sheet — Diet & Nutrition
Diet & Nutrition
Diet Typeomnivore
Feeding FrequencyDaily juveniles; every other day adults
Diet Notes
Primarily insects with some vegetables. Variety important.
💊 Supplementation Schedule
Calcium without D3 most feedings. Multivitamin 1-2x weekly.
✅ Recommended Foods
| Food | Category | Ca:P | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collard Greens | leafy | 9.3 | staple |
| Black Soldier Fly Larvae | insect | 7 | staple |
| Mulberry Leaf | leafy | 5 | staple |
| Turnip Greens | leafy | 4.5 | staple |
🚫 Foods to Avoid
| Food | Toxicity | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Avocado | ☠️ fatal | fruit |
| Fireflies | ☠️ fatal | insect |
| Foxglove | ☠️ fatal | flower |
| Garlic | ☠️ fatal | vegetable |
Chinese Water Dragon
Care Sheet — Health & More
Health & Critical Care
Snout rub, MBD, respiratory infections, parasites
Health Notes
SNOUT RUB is major issue - proper enclosure design prevents it.
Breeding
Difficultymoderate
SeasonWinter/spring
Clutch Size6-18 eggs
Incubation60-75 days
Sexual Dimorphism
moderate
Breeding Notes
Light cycling helps trigger breeding.
Cost & Availability
Price Rangemoderate
Availabilitycommon
Native Habitat
Native RegionSoutheast Asia
Habitat Typerainforest
Climate Notes
Tropical rainforests near streams. High humidity.
Legal & Conservation
Conservation StatusVulnerable
Legal Restrictions
None for captive-bred.
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