Australian Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

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: 6080%

• Temperature:

  • Basking: 3235C

  • Ambient: 2630C

  • Night: 2224C

• 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 45 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 1030 eggs in moist substrate.

• Incubation: 7090 days at 2830C.

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

Visual Quick Guide

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

• Temp: Basking 3235C / Ambient 2630C / Night 2224C

• Humidity: 6080%

• 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.