Mating Chinese Water Dragons
Gender Identification and Breeding of These Friendly Lizards
Sep 19, 2008
If an owner of a Chinese water dragon is committed to breeding, he must first ensure that all of the lighting, housing, and feeding requirements of the lizard are met. To do so, please read Caring For Chinese Water Dragons.
Sexing Chinese Water Dragons
Chinese Water dragons are considered mature by two years of age. At this point they will have mature colors under their chins and be at least twenty inches long. Before this point, it is impossible to distinguish sexual characteristics. At maturity, a veterinarian can probe the dragon to make proper gender identification, or owners can simply compare their dragon to pictures of other dragons.
Mixing Chinese Water Dragons
First, it is ideal to purchase one lizard at a time, to learn its mannerisms before bringing another into the fold. Upon bringing another dragon into the home, they must be kept quarantined for at least a month to ensure the health of both lizards before combining their environments.
Hibernating Chinese Water Dragons
Before mating lizards, they must be prepared for hibernation for at least two months during the winter. Reduce the amount of light given to the lizards per day, and reduce their daytime temperatures to around 75 F. Reduce their feedings to around once a week. After the hibernating period, again increase lighting and feeding.
Mating Chinese Water Dragons
A few weeks after the end of hibernation, a male water dragon will begin chasing the female and bobbing his head incessantly. During intercourse the male will grab the female’s nuchal crest between his teeth and twist her body to insert his hemipenis. If the female’s eggs were fertilized, her appetite will decrease as her belly expands, and she should be given extra calcium supplements. Approximately two months after copulation, the female will prepare to lay her eggs.
In readying for egg laying, make a nest out of the soil or peat moss on the bottom of the cage, at least eight inches deep. Keep the soil slightly moist. Once the eggs are laid, pick them up in the same way they were placed in the soil, and put them in an incubator at least an inch apart. Keep the eggs at least 85 F.
About two months after being laid, the eggs will hatch over a period of one to two days. New hatchlings should be immediately moved to a separate enclosure and care should be taken not to let them drown in cage water. Hatchlings need all of the same lighting and humidity requirements as adult water dragons and will begin eating small insects within a few weeks of age.
Overview
Breeding water dragons can be a time consuming and costly venture. However, if owners have the patience, it can be highly satisfying to see water dragons reproduce their offspring. Under the proper conditions, Chinese water dragons can be allowed to expand their families as they would in nature.
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