Found a eastern water dragon

[johnsy]

As what the title says, Me and the missus found him hanging on the neighbours front door. After rescueing him from the neighbours broom we have him in a box .His not wild as far as I know becouse he did not put up a fight when being picked up and seemed very calm. I have planed to do a door knock tonight to see if any neigbours are missing a much loved pet, I did a quick doornock when we fist found him but no ones home.
The next thing is that if we cannot find the owner, me and the missus would like to adopt him. I know that to keep him I would need a reptial licence but how would I go about that and adding him to a log book.

Thanks in advanced

 

[Acrochordus]

It could easily be a wild eastern water dragon, they dont allways run away. Are Eastern Water Dragons found naturally in your area?
Thanks Tim.

 

[johnsy]

I have never seen one where I live. I live in Lynbrook, SE suburb of Melbourne. The reason why I thought that his's tame is due to the fact the he was happy to be held.

 

[xavarx7]

hey mate you will need to get in contact with DSE.... web site (Department of Sustainability and Environment) and give them a ring and they will tell you what license you will need and if you can keep the EWD... and no there not usually found all the way down here.. so most likely its some ones... i hope you find the owner
Cheers

 

[Costa]

you will need a private basic wildlife license. the phone number is 136 186
and if they do let you keep it, or if you dont find the owner and they let you keep it,
then once the license has been approved they will send you out everything you need including the wildlfe record books and your license...

 

[Lonewolf]

thats cool are you sure its an EWD and not a gippsland coz you are in VIC and it would be good that it was IDed right (not doubt you abillity) but i really hop for your sake you get to keep it you really sound like some top people

 

[JAS101]

my bet is thats a gippy .

 

[Costa]

same basic license required

 

[johnsy]

Thanks for the replys, just came back from a door knock and no one has a missing EWD. I was asking them if they had a missing lizard (didn't want to give out to much info just in case it wasn't theirs and they wanted one).
He has a black mark running from his eye to ear and he has a red belly.
Anyway I am looking for some info on the best way to care for him short term. If it gets to the stage I cannot find the owner I will get a permenant setup, but what has people done.
I have given him some berrys, he loves strawberries till i get to the shop tomorrow and get some. At the moment I have him in a big box with a towels inside. a roasting dish with water.
I would love some ideas from people how best to keep him happy and healthy til I find his owner.
I also have a eastern long neck turtle and I am pretty sure that the EWD eats basicaly the same food my ELN ( feeder fish, crickets e.t.c)

 

[bluereptile]

hello i was in the same situation as you but i released the EWD bacause it was wild .
and looks like you have a mature male eastern water dragon not a gippland

 

[bradman]

I reckon its a gippy as they could be in your area.
There is no way the dse will let you keep it

 

[varanid_mike]

G'day
We run the lost reptile’s home for eastern Victoria and are licensed by DSE to take in lost and displaced reptiles and try and reunite them with their owners. If not they are properly re-homed.
We also work with DSE to try and find the original owners. Lost reptiles can not be kept but need to be handed in to ourselves or the Zoo’s
Please feel free to call me on 03 59619183 so we can arrange pick up if you have not found his owner.
Regards
Mike

 

[johnsy]

Thanks for the replys people. varanid_mike thanks you for giving me a contact number. I will be giving it to the end of the week and if the owner has not come forward I will call you.
I do realise that lost licenced pets have to be reported to the DSE but I am hoping that with flyers saying "Lost lizzard, family pet" the owner will realise that it is his. I don't want to yell out " Lost dragon" I think I'll have everyone calling me wanting him.
He is happy ATM, he had a good feed today of large crickets, strawberries and some melons. Had a swim in the little pond (baby bath) I made for him and spent the rest of the day basking in the sun. His inside at the moment cause i think its to cold outside for him and just hanging off the side of a large bird cage (used to have a cocky which escaped) watching what we are doing.

 

[antaresia_boy]

Sounds like you're doing a great job, if only all the permanent reptile keepers could do as well (not targeting this comment at anyone in particular.) hope you find his owner.

 

[bradman]

Hi Johnsy,
Well done mate with the lizard... the only thing is you may be doing him more harm then good.
You dont know if it has any parasites, you dont know if its native to your area. you dont know if its sick (RI) and you dont have it in a proper enclosure.
Not trying to pick on you dude you have do a great job so far but varanid_mike is really the best guy to contact asap about this lizard.
Time to move it on mate .Get a license first then have your fun.
Cheers Brad

 

[Serpentes]

I don't want to be the fun police here, but:

Hanging off a birdcage in the house at 10:45pm is VERY BAD for a water dragon. It needs to be kept in an enclosure specific to its needs, particularly its thermal needs. He needs a basking light set to 40 degrees inside a a large enclosure with swimming facilities. He also needs peace and quiet for most of each day, and several safe places within his cage for him to explore and retreat to when he wants. These lizards need specialist care, and it sounds like he's not getting it.

EDIT: looks like Bradman was the fun police first

 

[Stevo2]

Would it not be easy for the DSE to check their records for your area and canvas the people that own a EWD??

 

[johnsy]

Serpentes, when I wrote that post it was after mike sent it (around 8:35pm) but due to internet problems I wasn't able to post it till 10:30.
Anyway the time has come and as I said I would wait till the end of the week for the owner to come forward. I have had no phone calls, funny looks though hile putting up flyers about a lost lizard.
I have contacted varanid_mikes office and waiting on a call back to arrange to get him collected.

 

[lizardjasper]

You so want to get your license now and own one don't you? Once you've been bitten by the herping bug...

 

[Costa]

you could send the lizard to varanid mike.
then apply for a license. and then ask again if varanid mike will give it back to you after you have yaour license.
it would be completely legal.
according to dse anyway that would be.
they wouldnt know that you would be holding this lizard for a week or so.
then after you get it off a licensed reptile house and rescu center dse will not know and therefore be legal.
thats if you would really like to keep it.
im not sure if varnid mikes facility gives away or sells rehabilitated reptiles though. you will need to ask him...

if you wish to do this you will also need an approproate setup. havee a look at these for ideas only.
as these are for bearded dragons. most of whihch will be sufficient but you will need a large water area for them also.
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/...40/bearded-dragon-viv-pics-127254#post1615513
look at these to see what you might be able to do in your enclosure if you wish to hold this EWD
cya