Hey, it's better than Eck vs. Sever...


Okay kids, lissen up:

Forgive me if this has been dealt with on another thread. In your opinions, are Green water dragons usually tamer than Aussie water dragons? i ask because, although most people say yes, some prominet people say definitely not. Also, I have a very tame four-year-old male Aussie water dragon (although I will admit that he did not become really tame until last year), and I did once own a green water dragon that was a pure p***k. Although in this case, it may have been my fault: I lived in a big brigght place with big windows, with trees in a couple of windows. Bought a couple of young (10") dragons and said, "fend for yourselves--you know where the water bowls and food are." Well, they grew up great. But this one male always acted as if I were an intruder in HIS enclosure (Pete Weis told me that this was in fact my mistake. Tank 'em until they are about 20-24" long, then give 'em the run of the house).

Anyway, as for green and Aussie Wds, I find them equivalently easy to housetrain; Aussie WDs better at understanding the concept of glass; Green WDs more tolerant of mammals (I live with a dog and cat rescuer--incindentally, for those who read my other thread about nuchal spines, that was my gripe. Otis gets into TWO fights with a German shepard--you read that correct--no real damage. Okay a little cut on both animals, but WD tails can take care of bidness... Yet one one little nip from an Aussie WD and clipped spines WAAAHHHHHH :-( where's the "cry" icon?) I'll write more about lizards with dogs and cats (it can be done if these are not sighthounds or terriers) in another thread...); but Aussie WDs seem a bit more tolerant of smaller reptiles, although both are uncomfortable with snakes; both learn their specific names; in both cases, and I don't mean to be silly, females are somewhat more deferential and obedient; and finally, while Aussie WDs enjoy being petted, Green WDs seem more into being picked up.

Incidentally, I have done this for years, and I find that BOTH species tolerate, and seem to benefit from, winter cooling (60-65F nights in the winter).

Your thoughts/observations?


P. S.

And I cannot hold this one back any longer. While I have great respect for Philippe des Vosjoli, I must demur on one thing: BOTH green and Aussie Wds are smarter than iguanas--there, I said it....