Chinese water dragon

Profile

Length

about 60–90 cm including the tail, females smaller than males; the tail makes up 70–75% of the length

Weight

on a breeding farm at 14 months, males about 280–470 g and females 190–270 g; no data for fully grown animals

Life span

10–15 years

Activity

lives on riverbanks, climbs and swims well

Sources [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Climate and light

Day

27–30 °C (81–86 °F)

Night

20–22 °C (68–72 °F)

Basking spot

32–35 °C (90–95 °F)

Humidity

70–90%

Light

UVB is essential: a long T5 tube over at least half the length of the enclosure, replaced about every six months. Glass and fine mesh block UVB. About 13 hours of light in summer and 11 in winter; Austria requires 12–14 hours and daily UV exposure.

Austria requires 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) during the day, up to 35 °C (95 °F) in one spot, 20–22 °C (68–72 °F) at night, a water temperature of around 25 °C (77 °F) and 70–90% humidity. A US veterinary clinic gives 60–80% on average, higher after misting. Mist 2–3 times a day so the animals find droplets to drink. No red or blue heat lamps, they harm the eyes.

Sources [6] [7] [5] [2] [8]

Enclosure

For an adult, 250 × 100 × 180 cm (L × W × H) with a large water area meets the Austrian rule of 2.5 m² and 1.8 m height. A US veterinary clinic names at least 180 × 90 × 120–180 cm; a standard glass terrarium is too small for adults. In Germany and Switzerland the size depends on snout-vent length, see below.

Substrate

A substrate that holds moisture, such as coconut fiber, cypress mulch or soil. Austria requires peat or soil, with half kept damp at all times. A US veterinary clinic advises against loose substrate because of mold and germs. Females need a patch of damp sand where they can dig holes 10–15 cm deep for their eggs.

Setup

A large, heated water basin for swimming and diving with an easy way in and out. Change the water daily, the animals often defecate in it. Strong climbing branches, vines, dense plants and several hides. Cover the bottom few centimeters of the glass, or the animals rub their snouts sore. A thermometer and a hygrometer.

Sources [5] [2] [4] [3] [9] [6]

Minimum sizes

• GermanyGuideline

  At least 4 × 3 × 5 or 5 × 3 × 4 snout-vent lengths (L × W × H) for a pair, at most 2 m high. About 15% more floor area for each additional animal. A heated water basin, half of the climbing branches thicker than the body.

  Source [9]

• AustriaLaw

  1–2 animals up to 40 cm: 0.6 m² floor area, 0.8 m high · 40–60 cm: 1.2 m², 1.2 m · adults: 2.5 m², 1.8 m. Add 0.2 / 0.5 / 1.0 m² for each additional animal. A large water basin, no more than one adult male per enclosure.

  Source [6]

• SwitzerlandLaw

  For up to two animals: land area 5 × 3 snout-vent lengths, plus a basin of 2 × 2 snout-vent lengths and 1 snout-vent length deep, height 5 snout-vent lengths. Add 2 × 2 for each additional animal. Hides, places to climb and a bright basking spot are required.

  Source [10]

Feeding

• Juvenileup to 12 monthsdaily

  House crickets, Field crickets, Roaches · small insects

• Adultfrom about 1 yearevery 2–3 days

  Field crickets, Roaches, Locusts · insects of a suitable size, plus some greens

About 85–90% insects, the rest finely chopped greens such as dandelion, romaine lettuce or bell pepper; no avocado. No source gives fixed age limits. On a breeding farm, water dragons reached the adult size of 14 cm snout-vent length at 9–13 months. Adults every other day to every 2–3 days. Gut-load feeder insects for 1–2 days, dust them mostly with calcium without vitamin D3 and once or twice a week with D3. Thawed pinkies rarely at most and only for adults, never live rodents. Remove uneaten insects.

Sources [2] [5] [4] [11] [3]

Shedding

Air that is too dry leads to shedding problems. Stuck shed is a reason to see a vet.

Sources [4] [2] [5]

Brumation

No brumation. The UV-Tool for zoos recommends a cooling phase in winter: 22–24 °C (72–75 °F) instead of 26–28 °C (79–82 °F) by day, 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) instead of 20–22 °C (68–72 °F) at night and 11 instead of 13 hours of light. Austria requires 2–3 hours less light in winter and a temperature 3–4 °C (5–7 °F) lower. No source gives a duration. If it stays too cold, the animals fall into a rest, which is then a husbandry mistake.

Sources [8] [7] [6] [4]

Breeding

Sexual maturity

age not reliably known; the sexes can be told apart at about 10 months

Clutch

6–15 eggs

Incubation

60–75 days

There is no reliable source for the incubation temperature, so none is given here. On a Vietnamese breeding farm, incubation took 79 days on average. Females dig holes 10–15 cm deep in damp sand and cover the eggs. Females kept alone also lay eggs. In a zoo, some of these even developed into young without fertilization.

Sources [1] [12] [3]

Protection status and registration

As of October 31, 2026

• EU

  CITES Appendix II and Annex B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation. Anyone selling animals must be able to prove they were acquired legally.

  Sources [13] [14]

• Germany

  Specially protected and subject to registration: report keeping, and every addition and departure, to the responsible authority in writing without delay. Marking is not required. You must be able to show proof of origin (receipt or captive-breeding certificate) on request.

  Sources [15] [16]

• Austria

  Report keeping reptiles to the authority within two weeks. Since July 1, 2026, you need a training course (at least 4 × 60 minutes) before your first reptile. A UV lamp, a thermometer and a hygrometer are required.

  Sources [17] [6]

• Switzerland

  No permit needed. You must be able to document origin and legal acquisition.

  Sources [10] [18]

This is not legal advice. Rules change, so check with the responsible authority if in doubt.

Health

No substitute for a vet. If your animal seems sick, refuses food for an unusually long time or loses weight, see a vet with experience in reptiles.

• Snout injuries

  Signs scrapes on the nose and chin from rubbing against the glass

  What to do Cover the lower glass, have wounds treated by a vet.

• Metabolic bone disease (MBD)

  Signs legs used less or bent, crooked jaw

  What to do Check UVB and calcium and see a vet.

• Respiratory infection

  Signs open-mouth breathing, wheezing

  What to do Check temperature and humidity and see a vet.

• Mouth rot

  Signs swollen jaw, discharge or crusts around the mouth

  What to do See a vet.

• Skin infections

  Signs crusts, swellings or lumps on the skin; in the humid enclosure germs spread fast

  What to do Clean the enclosure daily and see a vet. In a zoo, water dragons fell ill with a skin germ that bearded dragons were carrying.

Sources [2] [5] [4] [19]

Sources

1. Asian water dragonSmithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute · retrieved October 31, 2026A zoo's species page.
2. Chinese Water Dragon Care GuideLong Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, USA · retrieved October 31, 2026A veterinary clinic's care sheet.
3. Growth performance and reproductive characteristics of Green Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) in captivityĐồng Thanh Hải et al., Vietnam National University of Forestry, Journal of Forestry Science and Technology 13(1) · 2024 · retrieved October 31, 2026Study from a breeding farm with outdoor enclosures in Vietnam, only partly applicable to terrariums.
4. Water Dragon Care SheetChewy, USA · June 9, 2026 · retrieved October 31, 2026A retailer's guide, checked by a veterinarian.
5. YVCipedia Reptiles: Chinese Water Dragon Care SheetYarmouth Veterinary Center, USA · 2025 · retrieved October 31, 2026Care sheet from a veterinary practice.
6. 2. Tierhaltungsverordnung, § 5, § 8 und Anlage 3 (Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien)officialRepublic of Austria, BGBl. II Nr. 486/2004, last amended by BGBl. II Nr. 144/2026 · Version of October 20, 2026 · retrieved October 20, 2026
7. Management and Husbandry of ReptilesMerck Veterinary Manual (S. J. Divers, J. R. Comolli) · July 2026 · retrieved October 31, 2026Veterinary reference work, for reptiles in general.
8. How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivityBaines, F. M. et al., Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1) · 2016 · retrieved October 31, 2026Table with lighting, temperatures and winter treatment for each species.
9. Gutachten über Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von ReptilienofficialBundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (now BMLEH), Sachverständigengruppe tierschutzgerechte Haltung von Terrarientieren · January 10, 1997 · retrieved October 20, 2026Spells out § 2 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Not a law, but the standard veterinary offices in Germany go by.
10. Tierschutzverordnung (TSchV, SR 455.1), Art. 89 und Anhang 2 (Vorbemerkungen, Tabelle 5 Reptilien)officialSwiss Confederation · As of February 1, 2026 · retrieved October 20, 2026
11. First population assessment of the Asian Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus Cuvier, 1829) in Thua Thien Hue Province, VietnamNguyen, T. Q. et al., Nature Conservation 26 · 2018 · retrieved October 31, 2026
12. Parthenogenesis in a captive Asian water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) identified with novel microsatellitesMiller, K. L. et al., PLoS ONE 14(6) · 2019 · retrieved October 31, 2026
13. Verordnung (EU) 2026/1383 zur Änderung der Anhänge der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 338/97 (CITES-Vertragsstaatenkonferenz 2025)officialEuropean Commission · June 22, 2026 · retrieved October 20, 2026
14. Verordnung (EG) Nr. 338/97 über den Schutz von Exemplaren wildlebender Tier- und Pflanzenarten durch Überwachung des HandelsofficialEuropean Union · retrieved October 20, 2026
15. Bundesartenschutzverordnung (BArtSchV), § 7, §§ 12–13 und Anlagen 5 und 6officialFederal Republic of Germany · Last amended January 21, 2013 · retrieved October 20, 2026
16. Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (BNatSchG), § 46 NachweispflichtofficialFederal Republic of Germany · retrieved October 20, 2026
17. Tierschutzgesetz (TSchG), § 13 und § 25officialRepublic of Austria · Version of October 20, 2026 · retrieved October 20, 2026
18. Bundesgesetz über den Verkehr mit Tieren und Pflanzen geschützter Arten (BGCITES, SR 453), Art. 10officialSwiss Confederation · As of September 1, 2023 · retrieved October 21, 2026
19. Devrieseasis in a plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) and Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) in a zoologic collectionRossier, C. et al., Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 47(1) · 2016 · retrieved October 31, 2026

Values without a source are common experience from keeping and breeding. Every animal is different, so watch yours and adjust its care. As of October 31, 2026.