Adoption Details For Jiaolong!
Name:
Jiaolong
Animal Id:
10435
Date Created:
4/18/2023 11:02:11 PM
Age:
6 Year(s) 6 Month(s) Old
Type:
Lizard
Gender:
Male
Primary Breed:
Chinese Water Dragon
Spayed / Neutered:
No
Secondary Breed:
Microchip:
Primary Color:
Green
Markings:
Secondary Color:
White
Pattern:
Weight:
1 lbs
Hi n my name is Jiaolong (Jiao, chiao, kiao -lung). It means the crocodile dragon, ruler over all aquatic animals, sometimes called Flood Dragon.
I'm a large, beautiful, male Chinese Water Dragon looking for my forever home.
Because most of us are wild caught and sold on the cheap, people don't understand that we are NOT a beginner pet, But if you are willing to be patient and learn what we need, we are great pets regardless of your experience.
We are already under a lot of stress and many of us don't make it past 2 years old due to poor housing and care. But guess what, I'm already 5 years old! I'm past that shaky ground. Which means I can be with you for a long long time if you want me to be.
I'm really excited for the outlook of my life because the rescue will make sure that my new family knows everything they need to so I can have a long and happy life, which can be 10 to 15 years!
Unlike iguanas that look like me, I am friendlier and easier to handle. I love to eat all the bugs I can possibly get, and I can eat quite a lot, too! Fish are a great food for me too.
I am a climber, and a swimmer. If you're interested in putting together something custom the rescue can help you do that fairly quickly. If not, there are lots of things we can make work for us.
I need 80% humidity and I don't understand glass so I've been able to figure it out thus far. My confusion can cause me to rub my face along the glass until I cause damage to my nose so if we can avoid it great if not I'm already at a point where I can work with it.
The larger my enclosure, the less likely I am to hurt my face. Don't worry, again, the rescue will provide you with all of the information that you will need to prepare for my arrival :)
I am a lovely dragon and if treated right I can be happy and healthy and bring joy to your heart and brighten your day! If you're willing to take a chance on me, I'm willing to take a chance on you! I can learn to trust those who treat me right, understand my needs, and just have a little bit of patience. Could my new home be with you?
If you would like to get to know more about me NOW, just fill out the super quick application and an adoption counselor will be in touch!
PLEASE NOTE:
1- We can only accept applications from interested parties who are in or near San Diego County, California at this time.
2- We do not ship reptiles but we may be willing to work with you if you are willing to travel if you are still in Southern California.
3- #2 will depend on the animal that you are applying for and is at the discretion of the board of directors.
Quick Reference Guide
Animal Type
Lizard
Breed
Chinese Water Dragon
Introduction
Chinese water dragons are native to southeast Asia, where they inhabit tropical broadleaf forests on the banks of freshwater lakes and streams. As an arboreal species, they spend most of their time in the trees, although when alarmed they will drop to the water below, and they are proficient swimmers. Adult males can grow up to 36” long and a 10-15 year lifespan.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Difficulty Notes
They can make docile, beautiful pets, but due to their large size and arboreal nature, they require large enclosures and specialized equipment, making them a significant investment. the biggest challenge to husbandry is providing anough space and a cleanbody of water. Chinese water dragons generally make better display animals than a “pet” that gets taken out regularly, but they can usually be tamed with persistent, gentle effort. This may take a while, so be patient! Captive-bred water dragons are likely to be more tameable than wild-caught individuals.
Basking Temp
90-95
Ambient Temp
77-86
Lowest Temp
75-77
Temp Notes
Because recommended nighttime temperatures for Chinese water dragons are higher than the average home temperature, you will need a lightless heat source to provide a little extra warmth.
Diet
Insectivore
Diet Notes
Chinese water dragons are primarily insectivorous, which means that they get most of their nutrients from eating a wide variety of insects. However, they are also known to eat vegetation, fruits, and small animals. These lizards eat a lot so ensure you have a steady and reliable supply of insects, especially as your dragon reaches adulthood.
UVA Intensity
Tropical
UVB Intensity
Intermediate
Ferguson Zone
3
Lighting Notes
A UVB bulb isn’t bright enough to meet a Chinese water dragon’s light needs. So you will need to supplement with a bright, 6500K T5 HO fluorescent or LED lamp, long enough to span most of the enclosure. This is particularly important if you have live plants in the enclosure, but it is also valuable for providing additional illumination and supporting your dragon’s general wellbeing
Enclosure Size
Large Semi-Arborial
Enclosure Notes
Chinese water dragons need an enclosure that is large enough to give them adequate opportunity to thermoregulate, explore, hunt, and generally exercise natural behaviors. They are also arboreal, which means that as a tree-dwelling species, they require a tall enclosure. The minimum recommended enclosure size for housing a single Chinese water dragon is 6’L x 3’W x 6’H. For the lizard’s mental health and ease of access, it is best to use an enclosure that is front-opening and opaque on all sides but the front. It also must be well-ventilated.
Substrate
Forest Floor
Substrate Notes
Chinese water dragons spend most of their time in the upper levels of their enclosure, and when they’re not climbing, they’re swimming. So substrate isn’t super important, but if the “pool” doesn’t take up the entire floor of the enclosure, adding substrate can help with humidity maintenance. A fluffy 4″ / 10cm layer of moistened coconut fiber or sphagnum moss will do the trick, and it also helps act as a cushion if your dragon takes a fall.
Humidity
High (70-100%)
Humidity Notes
Chinese water dragons do best in a high-humidity environment, with a daytime average humidity of 60-80%, plus a large pool of water for swimming. Chinese water dragons naturally live near bodies of water in the wild, and when startled will often drop into the water from the trees as a defense mechanism. They are proficient swimmers, can hold their breath for up to 25 minutes, and have been known to sleep in the water. For these reasons it’s important to provide a large, deep basin of water (at least 65 gallons) on the floor of the enclosure.
Animal Reference Material:
| Category | Title | AnimalType | Breed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Care | Lizard UVB Lighting: What you need to know! | Lizard | ||
| Blog | Custom Large Lizard Enclosure Considerations | Lizard |