Cochin Agama (Physignathus cocincinus)

🧬 1. Taxonomy and origin

Scientific name: Physignathus cocincinus

Common names: Chinese Water Dragon, Asian Water Dragon, Green Water Dragon

Family: Agamidae (agama)

Origin: Southeast Asia — China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos

Natural habitat: humid tropical forests along rivers and lakes, where they are diurnal and active in the afternoon, often on branches near water, into which they jump when threatened.

Adults: usually live 10–15 years in captivity, and up to 20 years with optimal care.

🐉 2. What they look like (morphological features)
🐢 Distinctive appearance:

Color: mostly light to dark green, sometimes with bluish or yellowish hues; males may have more pronounced coloration on the head or belly.

Body shape: slender and streamlined, with a long tail that makes up ~70% of the total length - helps with balancing on branches and swimming quickly.

Size: adults usually reach 60–90 cm in length (head + body + tail).

Eyes: large, with clear vision; very observant and mainly diurnal species.

Body and claws: strong climbing limbs and sharp claws that allow them to climb branches and plants safely.

🏡 3. Environmental and breeding requirements
🪟 Terrarium and space

Chinese water dragons need a large, high and well-organized terrarium:

Minimum dimensions for an adult: about 180×120×180cm (l×w×h) - or larger if possible.

Vertical branching: branches and elevated areas for climbing are essential, as this is an arboreal species.

Water area: a large bowl or small body of water where the reptile can submerge and swim — important for hydration, thermoregulation, and psychological well-being.

🌡️ Temperature and humidity

Daytime temperature: around 28–32°C around the terrarium.

Basking area: around 33–38°C — important for digestion and general health.

Nighttime temperature: around 24–27°C.

Humidity: 60–80%, achieved with regular misting and water features.

☀️ Lighting

UVB light: important for calcium metabolism and preventing metabolic bone problems. UVB radiation also helps with the production of vitamin D3.

🍽️ 4. Diet and nutrition

Chinese water dragons are omnivorous, but with a tendency to eat animal food, especially when young.

🐛 Basic diet

Insects: crickets, locusts, cockroaches, larvae - make up the majority of the diet.

Small animals: small mice (as a supplement, not regularly), small fish or other small invertebrates are suitable.

Vegetables and fruits: dark green leaves, safe fruits (e.g. raspberries) in small quantities.

🧂 Supplements

Calcium and vitamins: powdered supplements at each feeding or according to veterinary recommendations - critical for healthy bones.

🍴 Feeding according to age

Puppies: daily, with a large proportion of insects and animal food.

Adults: daily feeding of a smaller amount of food or every 1–2 days depending on appetite and health status.

🧠 5. Nature and Behavior
🐾 Diurnal and Active

Physignathus cocincinus is a diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal reptile that likes to observe its surroundings, climbs and occasionally dives into the water when threatened.

🤝 Interaction and Handling

Friendly in nature: if regularly and gently socialized from a young age, it can tolerate handling and be relatively calm.

Stress and reactions: may show escape behavior, scratching or tail slapping when suddenly handled or noisy.

🐍 Territorial and Social

Solo housing: usually does better when kept alone, especially males, who can be territorial.

Groups: sometimes one male with 2–3 females — but this requires a large terrarium and supervision.

🩺 6. Health and Common Problems

Chinese water dragons can suffer from some health complications, especially if not cared for properly.

🩹 Common Health Problems

Stomatitis ("mouth rot"): an infection of the mouth often related to an injury to the muzzle or an improper environment.

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): caused by a lack of calcium or UVB radiation — causes weak bones.

Parasites and Infections: Internal and external parasitic infections if proper hygiene or control is not maintained.

Skin Infections: can occur with poor terrarium hygiene.

Dystocia (egg retention): a problem for females when laying — can be life-threatening.

🐣 7. Reproduction and Gender

Gender: differences between males and females usually become apparent in adulthood (males often have a more prominent head and coloration).

Reproduction: Females lay eggs after mating, which they incubate under controlled conditions.

Incubation period: Usually lasts several months — around 60–90 days, depending on temperature and humidity.

🧬 8. Species and variations

Physignathus cocincinus is recognized as the only species in the genus for exotic breeders; there are no official subspecies. In practice, however, individual populations may differ in color and slight morphological features according to geographical origin, but taxonomically they are all considered a single species.

👍 9. Advantages and disadvantages of breeding
🟢 Advantages

✔️ Attractive and colorful reptile: aesthetically impressive appearance.
✔️ Interesting behavior: hours of observation and interaction with children or adults.
✔️ Intelligent nature