Post by SWRR on Apr 15, 2009 11:16:23 GMT
THE FRILLED DRAGON CARE SHEET
CHLAMYDOSAURUS KINGII
DESCRIPTION
A large arboreal lizard that ranges in color from olive through a greyish brown to a near black color. Has a large frill that folds around neck and can extend outwards to make themselves appear larger when frightened or confronted by a predator. The frill has a great variety of color that can range from yellow to jet black. Patches of orange decorates the throat and in same cases the frill maybe spotted or drenched with orange scales. Confronted or frightened dragons will expand their frills, while hissing and lunging with mouth extend wide open. If this display does not work, it will retreat and flee on two legs.
SIZE
Total length is averaged about 30 inches [75 cm]. Average of 10 inches [25 cm] from snout to cloaca vent. Tail is about double the length of the body, averaging around 20 inches [50 cm]. The frill is fairly large and can measure up to 12 inches [30 cm].
ACCOMMODATION
Dragons love to climb and are highly active lizards. They appear to feel more secure when given an arboreal arranged aquarium or custom made wire cage. A 6 feet heigh [180 cm], 3 feet wide [90 cm], and 4 [120 cm] feet long cage is ideal for a single dragon. However, this size is what fellow herpetoculturist use for a breeding pair of 1 male to two female dragons. Aquariums of 55 to 100 gallons are also ideal to accommodate a single frilled-neck lizard.
FURNISHINGS
These lizards are highly active, so keep this in mind when using a substrate for the enclosure. A custom made wire cage will have a large amount of debris flung outside the cage [if not all of it] in just a short period of time and unless you like to sweep or vacuum a lot I would just use newspaper as a floor covering. Climbing branches are also a necessity for dragons to enjoy a rich arboreal and healthy life. Use branches that are of the same thickness as the lizard. A sturdy perch for basking should be offered to each lizard that live together. Silicone sealant [aquarium safe] will work well to secure the branches together and a wire cage can just have the branches tied onto the sides of the cage with wire. A large water dish should be supplied for these lizards, one that is heavy enough for them no to knock around. They are almost Varanus trained to defecating in the water dish consistently. So be prepared to clean the dish at least once every day. A large cat litter pan or plastic storage box will work very well, yet sometimes you might also have to put rocks in the dish to keep them from spilling it over. Disinfect and clean the cage, with those new reptile disinfectants or biodegradable cleaners that are safe for reptiles, at least once a month. Maybe every 2 weeks depending on the over active disposition and fecal happy lizard you may own.
TEMPERATURE
Basking temperature should be no higher then 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The surrounding areas should be around 84-88 degrees Fahrenheit. Night time temperatures needs to be kept at no lower then 70 degrees, yet it is better to be at the mid 70's.
FEEDING
These lizards will eat heartedly, so keep this in mind before purchasing one. Juveniles to adults should be feed every day in small amounts. A large adult can eat up to two dozen crickets in a single meal, so either prepare to pay a lot for prey or learn to breed crickets and other insects. There are may websites and books out there, so I will not get to involved with that.
Successful prey items for the frilled dragon consist of insects, arthropods, small reptiles, dissected chicks, small fishshrimp, canned cat food, canned reptile food, small mammals, and cooked eggs.
VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Make sure to gut load or dust live prey with vitamins and minerals. Neonates of six months or less should have vitamins/minerals added every feeding. Subadults under two years should have supplements added three times a week. Adults of two years or more should have supplements added twice a week.
LIZARD Caresheet by Shannon D. Nelson.
CHLAMYDOSAURUS KINGII
DESCRIPTION
A large arboreal lizard that ranges in color from olive through a greyish brown to a near black color. Has a large frill that folds around neck and can extend outwards to make themselves appear larger when frightened or confronted by a predator. The frill has a great variety of color that can range from yellow to jet black. Patches of orange decorates the throat and in same cases the frill maybe spotted or drenched with orange scales. Confronted or frightened dragons will expand their frills, while hissing and lunging with mouth extend wide open. If this display does not work, it will retreat and flee on two legs.
SIZE
Total length is averaged about 30 inches [75 cm]. Average of 10 inches [25 cm] from snout to cloaca vent. Tail is about double the length of the body, averaging around 20 inches [50 cm]. The frill is fairly large and can measure up to 12 inches [30 cm].
ACCOMMODATION
Dragons love to climb and are highly active lizards. They appear to feel more secure when given an arboreal arranged aquarium or custom made wire cage. A 6 feet heigh [180 cm], 3 feet wide [90 cm], and 4 [120 cm] feet long cage is ideal for a single dragon. However, this size is what fellow herpetoculturist use for a breeding pair of 1 male to two female dragons. Aquariums of 55 to 100 gallons are also ideal to accommodate a single frilled-neck lizard.
FURNISHINGS
These lizards are highly active, so keep this in mind when using a substrate for the enclosure. A custom made wire cage will have a large amount of debris flung outside the cage [if not all of it] in just a short period of time and unless you like to sweep or vacuum a lot I would just use newspaper as a floor covering. Climbing branches are also a necessity for dragons to enjoy a rich arboreal and healthy life. Use branches that are of the same thickness as the lizard. A sturdy perch for basking should be offered to each lizard that live together. Silicone sealant [aquarium safe] will work well to secure the branches together and a wire cage can just have the branches tied onto the sides of the cage with wire. A large water dish should be supplied for these lizards, one that is heavy enough for them no to knock around. They are almost Varanus trained to defecating in the water dish consistently. So be prepared to clean the dish at least once every day. A large cat litter pan or plastic storage box will work very well, yet sometimes you might also have to put rocks in the dish to keep them from spilling it over. Disinfect and clean the cage, with those new reptile disinfectants or biodegradable cleaners that are safe for reptiles, at least once a month. Maybe every 2 weeks depending on the over active disposition and fecal happy lizard you may own.
TEMPERATURE
Basking temperature should be no higher then 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The surrounding areas should be around 84-88 degrees Fahrenheit. Night time temperatures needs to be kept at no lower then 70 degrees, yet it is better to be at the mid 70's.
FEEDING
These lizards will eat heartedly, so keep this in mind before purchasing one. Juveniles to adults should be feed every day in small amounts. A large adult can eat up to two dozen crickets in a single meal, so either prepare to pay a lot for prey or learn to breed crickets and other insects. There are may websites and books out there, so I will not get to involved with that.
Successful prey items for the frilled dragon consist of insects, arthropods, small reptiles, dissected chicks, small fishshrimp, canned cat food, canned reptile food, small mammals, and cooked eggs.
VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Make sure to gut load or dust live prey with vitamins and minerals. Neonates of six months or less should have vitamins/minerals added every feeding. Subadults under two years should have supplements added three times a week. Adults of two years or more should have supplements added twice a week.
LIZARD Caresheet by Shannon D. Nelson.