CWD tank

Question
QUESTION: hi im thinking of makeing a tank for my Chinese water dragon that is 6ft tall 4 ft wide 4 ft long is it big enuff to hold a adult chinese water dragon and im wondering how i would go abotut makeing climeing space and such like can it be done & at the boddem of it im getting a kitty litter box for its water bowl im puting live plants in it to help HELP keep the humidy high enuff

ANSWER: Hi Bryon, That size enclosure is great for an adult. He/She will definately be happy with it for it's entire life.  Climbing space can be done with tall (non toxic) fake or real trees, long basking branches, you can build shelfing at different levels in the cage and I covered the back side of my Chinese Water Dragon's cage with bamboo window shades. Its a little expensive but we secured it very well and he can climb up the back vertically using those.  You can start all your long branches and such at the bottom but they need to get up high enough for them to climb all over, or else the top area of the cage will be useless.

Many people use cat litter boxes for the water area (remember you need an easy way for him to get out) And be sure the plants you use are non toxic because some dragons will eat live plants in there enclosure, or it could make the water he drinks toxic as well. Live plants will definately help with humidity, I find with 2 live plants in my vivarium and a large water pool the humidity stays very good all day long. Compared to before the plants when I was struggling with it.

Another tip for humidity is if you put vents at the bottom instead of at the top. Heat will evaporate the water/humidity faster because it raises. If the vents are near the bottom the humidity stays around a little bit longer.

If you want to see examples of some CWD enclosures of all sorts (including mine) take a look at this page:

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/WaterDragons/messages/1224414.html


There are multiple pages on that link so take a look at all of them.


Best of luck,
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: do you think in that tank it can hold two?
fullgrone beardys male/feamale comfortably

ANSWER: Hi Bryon,
you would need more length for two water dragons. Minimum for two I would suggest 6ft tall at least 7ft wide and minimum 2ft deep. So the depth and height would work but it would need to be wider. Bigger is always better.

And I thought we were talking abotu Water Dragons not "Beardys"

But two adult water dragons need more room. And with a female you will need to be prepared for year round eggs. Then what to do with the hatchlings if you inubate the eggs. Two males can not be housed together two females may do well but they lay eggs without a male to fertilize them (unfertile eggs) and still need a laying area.

Hope that helps
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry i asked a followup on this  one that was ment for another so what dose a laying area look like

Answer
Thats alright Bryon,
The laying area is usually a large tupperware container about a square 1ft long by 1ft wide and at least 8 - 10 inches deep. The container is usually filled with a organic potting soil or sand mixture. (many other options look up water dragon breeeding for more information on that) and its kept moist but not too moist, not to dry either. And this is kept near the bottom of the tank for the female to dig and burry her eggs. If this area isn't available she may hold the eggs in causing her to be "egg bound" Which is a severe medical problem needing immediate vet attention.

-Yexalen