New habitat and social questions.

Question
I've had a water dragon for about five months. He's the first reptile I've ever had. My Mortimer is about 15 inches long, sheds well, and eats on a regular basis, veggies included. His current tank is only 40 gal, but there will be a new one on Tues.

I'm upping his tank size to 80 gallons this week, and I'm planning on planting fresh plants in there, hopefully ones that he will like to munch on. What type of plants would be best? Will he also like water plants? Are there any particular plants that he should not be around? And finally- will it take Morty a long time to readjust to the new home?

Now for social, but a quick question. My younger brother is getting a beardie, and I know the two lizards shouldn't contact one another. Are there any precautions we should consider?

Thanks!
Lauren

Answer
Hi Lauren, He is definately in need of a larger enclosure and will soon outgrow the 80 gallon as well. Definately needing more height then ground space. Minimum size enclosure for a dragon 18 inches and longer is 4ft tall 4ft wide and 2ft deep. So keep that in mind.

Some plants are toxic even if he doesn't try to eat them.

Here is a list of some plants that are non toxic and do well in the humid and warm environment:

Bromeliads (Aechmea, Billbergia, Guzmania, Neoregelia) - clip spines
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Creeping Fig* (Ficus pumila)
Corn Plant (Draceneas - until they outgrow enclosure)
Dwarf Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla)
Earth Stars (Cryptanthus)
Gesneriads (Aeschynanthus, Nematanthus)
Orchids (Dendrobium, Epidendurm, Haemaria, Oncidium)
Peacock Plant (Calathea stromata; Marantaceae)
Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia, Piperacaeae)
Ponytail Palms (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Pothos (Scindapsus aureus, Epipremnum aureum)
Rosary Vine (Ceropegia woodii)
Sanseveria trifasciata, including the following cultivars: Bentel's Sensation, Laurenti, Moonshine, Gray Lady.
Sanseveria parva, including cultivars: Hahnii, Hahnii "Loop's Pride", Hahnii Silver Frost, Golden Hahnii.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta)
Virginia Spiderwort* (Tradescantia virginiana)
Wandering Jew* ( Tradescantia zebrina)
Weeping Figs* (Ficus benjamina)

(plant list was clipped from http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants2.html )

Water plants will get your water pool dirty very fast and algea and bacteria will thrive. I don't suggest using them but here is a list of safe ones

(also clipped from the same site)

Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis)
Water Hyacinth (Eichornia sp.)
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water Trumpet (Cryptocoryne cordata)

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It can take up to a week for him to be comfortable enough to continue regular eating habits, may take up to a month to get completely settled in and feeling safe. But he will be happier with more room, just in a little bit of shock at first.

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No precautions, just dont let them both out at the same time or house their cages where they can see eachother. It may add stress.

Good luck,
Yexalen