Physignathus cocincinus
Chinese Water Dragon
Chinese water dragons are striking, semi-aquatic lizards that need a large, tall, humid enclosure with a real pool. Their skittish nature makes them a poor fit for handling-focused keepers.
AgamidaeLifespan 10–15 yearsCare complexity 4/5Not a beginner animal
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Physignathus cocincinus
- Family
- Agamidae
- Origin
- Forests and streams of Southeast Asia and southern China
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Adult size
- 60–90 cm including tail
- Weight
- 300–500 g
- Temperament
- Alert and can be flighty; settles somewhat with regular gentle handling
- Activity level
- High; an active climber and swimmer
- Social needs
- Low; best housed singly or as a compatible, carefully monitored pair
- Intelligence
- Learns feeding routines and recognises its keeper over time
- Noise
- Silent
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Minimum tall enclosure of 120 x 90 x 180 cm for one adult, with a substantial water pool
- Space requirement
- Considerable vertical space for climbing plus a deep pool for swimming
- Temperature
- Basking spot 32–38°C, ambient 26–29°C, night drop to around 22°C
- Humidity
- 70–80%, maintained with regular misting
- Exercise
- Tall enclosure with climbing branches and a large water feature for swimming
- Grooming
- Not applicable; needs high humidity and a soaking pool to shed properly
Diet and feeding
Omnivorous: insects, some vegetables and fruit, and occasional small vertebrate prey
Behaviour and compatibility
Basking, swimming, territorial head-bobbing and rapid escape climbing when startled
- With children
- Not ideal for young children; easily stressed by sudden movement or noise
- With other animals
- House alone or in carefully supervised compatible pairs only
- Training difficulty
- Moderate to high; can remain skittish even with regular handling
Health
- Rostral abrasions from glass surfing
- Metabolic bone disease
- Parasites
- Nose and mouth injuries from enclosure impacts
Requires an experienced reptile vet; injuries from panicked enclosure impacts are common
Special care requirements
Its flighty nature means very large, solid-walled enclosures reduce injury from panic sprints