So Leezard has been hanging out all day under his basking rock - it has a little cut out cave thing for him. He spends most of his time there. When I look in on him he is definitely alert - stares right back at me. He's not eating a lot of crickets, turns his nose up at mealworms but put a waxworm in front of him and he gobbles it up. I do see him in his water every now and then but not as much as before he discovered his little cave. so I'm wondering - is he getting sick on me again? What do you all think of his colour? does he look ok?

his color iis very dark..he should be brighter....what are those white spots on him?

I was thinking the same, he looks a little brown. The only Chinese Water Dragon's that i've seen that color have been in petstores. Most little ones are vibrant green.

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Ah its the reflection of the flash off the water on him - those white specs. Yeah I finally took his basking rock/cave thing out of his house to make him sit under the light and his colour changed almost right away. so I guess I just need to be mean and take away his hiding spot for a few hours every day. Once he is out from under there he is perky and bops around in his water.

Can't you have his hide under the basking spot so he is still getting the heat? I wouldn't take it away necessarily - it is a security thing for him and he needs to feel that he has somewhere to retreat.

How is he doing? I didn't realise he was back from the vets sorry. What did they say? I'm glad he's back home with you and I hope he continues to get better.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

His rock is directly under his MVB and basking light - so it does stay warm. I got the mini temp gun thing and the temp under his rock is about 88 - but he just isn't looking very healthy. He was doing great for about a week and now he's getting all slumpy on me again. the Vet just said its all mental with him, there is no physical reason for him to keep crashing - other than the fact he doesn't care for himself so then he go hyperglycemic.

I took out his rock and he burrowed under the moss. So I dunno. I'm at a loss again.

maybe you should consider a tankmate...I know if I dont either let my WD out to play with eachtoher or handle them for atleast an hour everyday they get stressed...they are very social and need alot of attention...

Young water dragons are often brown on top. I think this is a natural camoflage in the wild to protect them from predators. your dragons underside looks nice and green, as it should.

Maybe your dragon can see too much of the outside world? have you tried taping some paper up around the lower outside edges of the cage so he can't see out so easily? He might feel a bit more relaxed and less stress if all he can see is his own space. Give it a try- it doesn't cost anything. BTW don't put the paper near any heat sources.

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Tricia

Ah the paper worked! I put the paper on one side of his cage - the "dry" side and he has spent the last 2 days out basking on a branch. Little bugger even got out (I hadn't closed the top properly) and went for a walk following my boyfriend. now that is funny!
MsH is going to help me get him a friend. Even the vet had suggested that maybe he was in shock from leaving his home with other dragons and being isolated. I'm just so afraid I am going to make another dragon sick!! He's still not eating properly on his own again but we are back to the babyfood routine so at least I know he is getting food in him.
He's about 12 - 14 inches -do you think he can handle guppies?

Yeah, he could handle a small pinkey mouse too