I went to the Castle Hill Reptile Expo last month, had no intention of getting a new reptile at all but I happened to win an Eastern Water Dragon hatchy - thanks mainly to the enthusiastic group I went with and the fact that the bloke holding the contest tipped the odds in my favour. Caught up in all the excitement, I agreed to take on the new dragon.
I have had a Central Beardie male for 7 years and have the spare equipment necessary. The baby was put in a fish tank with UV tube plus reflector. The tank is only 2 feet, with a plan to upgrade the dragon to a adult sized tank in time. I have offered him baby woodies and vegies along with enough water to take a dip without it being too deep as to drown.
He was extremely timid, and would actively try to avoid being picked up/handled etc.
On the 22nd February I had to head over to New Zealand for 12 days. I had only had the dragon for several days before that, so I had to leave it in the care of my mother and brother. I left them detailed instructions (they have experience with my Central Beardie of course). Unfortunately the first day I was away I got bad news that my mother's cat somehow had attacked the baby dragon and severed a third of the tail. I told them to seek vet help, remove the water tub and make sure the tail wouldn't be prone to infection. Despite my instructions, on my return the dragon's tail was not tended to, the severed section was hanging by a dry tiny piece of skin, though the wound has healed (since his tail is so tiny). He is quite active, I do not see him eat but he is maintaining his weight and also doing regular poo's.
Now I was quite upset at the news of the poor thing being attacked, and angry that my family didn't take proper measures to prevent the cat from accessing the lizard. No one knows how the cat got in - in any case I've taken care of that for now. I felt so bad for the dragon, especially since the lizard was basically thrust on me and I never really properly prepared a tank for him in the first place.
I've been considering letting him go in Lane Cove National Park where there is a good population of Water Dragons, but I am not sure how he will go with only 2/3'rds of his tail remaining when it comes to swimming. The other concern is will his immune system cope with living in the wild. He is definitely not tamed down and still effectively "wild".
I've also been considering giving him away to someone - who is better equipped to care for a Water Dragon. At this point, I really don't have a lot of spare time for another lizard, especially one that is far more complicated than my Beardie.
I really feel sorry for the little lizard and don't want traumize him any further. Any help would be appreciated.
I have had a Central Beardie male for 7 years and have the spare equipment necessary. The baby was put in a fish tank with UV tube plus reflector. The tank is only 2 feet, with a plan to upgrade the dragon to a adult sized tank in time. I have offered him baby woodies and vegies along with enough water to take a dip without it being too deep as to drown.
He was extremely timid, and would actively try to avoid being picked up/handled etc.
On the 22nd February I had to head over to New Zealand for 12 days. I had only had the dragon for several days before that, so I had to leave it in the care of my mother and brother. I left them detailed instructions (they have experience with my Central Beardie of course). Unfortunately the first day I was away I got bad news that my mother's cat somehow had attacked the baby dragon and severed a third of the tail. I told them to seek vet help, remove the water tub and make sure the tail wouldn't be prone to infection. Despite my instructions, on my return the dragon's tail was not tended to, the severed section was hanging by a dry tiny piece of skin, though the wound has healed (since his tail is so tiny). He is quite active, I do not see him eat but he is maintaining his weight and also doing regular poo's.
Now I was quite upset at the news of the poor thing being attacked, and angry that my family didn't take proper measures to prevent the cat from accessing the lizard. No one knows how the cat got in - in any case I've taken care of that for now. I felt so bad for the dragon, especially since the lizard was basically thrust on me and I never really properly prepared a tank for him in the first place.
I've been considering letting him go in Lane Cove National Park where there is a good population of Water Dragons, but I am not sure how he will go with only 2/3'rds of his tail remaining when it comes to swimming. The other concern is will his immune system cope with living in the wild. He is definitely not tamed down and still effectively "wild".
I've also been considering giving him away to someone - who is better equipped to care for a Water Dragon. At this point, I really don't have a lot of spare time for another lizard, especially one that is far more complicated than my Beardie.
I really feel sorry for the little lizard and don't want traumize him any further. Any help would be appreciated.
