Australian Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Common Name	Water Dragon
Scientific Name	Intellagama lesueurii
Origin	Australia
Adult Size	90–120 cm
Lifespan	10–15 years in captivity
Activity	Diurnal, semi-aquatic / arboreal

Behavior

• Active during the day; excellent climbers and swimmers.

• Semi-aquatic; enjoys basking on branches and swimming in water.

• Can be wary but becomes tame with consistent handling.

• Territorial behavior can occur, especially in males.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank / Vivarium Size: Minimum 300 liters for a single adult; larger preferred

• Substrate: Soil, sand-soil mix, or coconut fiber

• Decor: Branches for climbing, logs, rocks, and water area for swimming

• Humidity: 60–80%

• Temperature:

  • Basking: 32–35°C

  • Ambient: 26–30°C

  • Night: 22–24°C

• Lighting: Full-spectrum UVB essential for health and calcium metabolism

• Ventilation: Good airflow; avoid stagnant humid areas

Compatibility

• Can be housed with conspecifics in large enclosures; monitor for aggression.

• Avoid housing with smaller, delicate species.

Diet

• Omnivorous; feeds on insects, small fish, and plant matter:

  • Crickets, mealworms, roaches

  • Small fish, pinky mice (occasionally for adults)

  • Leafy greens, fruits

• Juveniles: feed daily

• Adults: feed 4–5× per week

• Provide fresh water for swimming and drinking

Care Tips

• Provide swimming area and basking spots for thermoregulation.

• Maintain humidity and clean water daily.

• Spot-clean enclosure regularly to prevent bacterial growth.

• Monitor for shedding problems, parasites, or lethargy.

Breeding

• Oviparous; females lay 10–30 eggs in moist substrate.

• Incubation: 70–90 days at 28–30°C.

• Hatchlings are independent and require appropriately sized prey and water access.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥300 L, branches, hides, water area

• 🌡️ Temp: Basking 32–35°C / Ambient 26–30°C / Night 22–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 60–80%

• 🍴 Diet: Omnivorous (insects, small fish, greens, fruit)

• 🕒 Activity: Diurnal, semi-aquatic, arboreal

• ⚠️ Stress: Provide water, climbing areas, and hides

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.