Agamids on Herpeton Academy

Physignathus cocincinus

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Physignathus cocincinus is the accepted scientific name for the Chinese water dragon covered here. Use this Latin name when comparing labels, origin documents, and close relatives, because trade names can overlap.

English common names used in the hobby:

Chinese water dragon

German common names used in the hobby:

Grüner Wasseragame

📌 Description

Physignathus cocincinus is a non-venomous lizard with care needs shaped by its natural habitat: humid broadleaf forest beside streams, pools, and rivers, with branches over water. Adults are usually around 60-90 cm total length, and a realistic captive lifespan is 10-15 years when housing, diet, and veterinary care are handled well.

Bearded Dragon — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pogona vitticeps · Bearded Dragon · Bearded dragon · Central bearded dragon

📋 At a glance


Adult size	45-60 cm
Lifespan	10-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	The species originates from eastern and central Australia.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Beginner
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Indoor vivarium with secure ventilation; outdoor sun only in safe supervised weather
Adult enclosure must provide usable floor space, climbing or digging structure as appropriate
Substrate should match the species: dry soil/sand/clay for arid animals, planted/drainage layers for humid arboreal animals
Avoid loose unsafe particles for juveniles, slippery floors, and cramped glass boxes

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Warm basking zone, cooler retreat, humid hide or humid zone where appropriate
Stable rocks, branches, cork, hides, and visual barriers
Water dish or misting/drinking system matched to the species

💡 Lighting

UVB required or strongly recommended for most diurnal lizards
Best: T5 HO UVB tube plus bright visible lighting and separate heat lamp
Replace UVB lamps on schedule and measure UVI when possible
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no visible light at night

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 38-45 °C

Physignathus cocincinus — Fact Sheet

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Physignathus cocincinus · Physignathus cocincinus · Chinese water dragon · Grüner Wasseragame

📋 At a glance


Adult size	60-90 cm
Lifespan	10-15 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Physignathus cocincinus is native to tropical forests and stream margins in southern China and mainland Southeast Asia.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Advanced
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Indoor vivarium with secure ventilation; outdoor sun only in safe supervised weather
Adult enclosure must provide usable floor space, climbing or digging structure as appropriate
Substrate should match the species: dry soil/sand/clay for arid animals, planted/drainage layers for humid arboreal animals
Avoid loose unsafe particles for juveniles, slippery floors, and cramped glass boxes

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Warm basking zone, cooler retreat, humid hide or humid zone where appropriate
Stable rocks, branches, cork, hides, and visual barriers
Water dish or misting/drinking system matched to the species

💡 Lighting

UVB required or strongly recommended for most diurnal lizards
Best: T5 HO UVB tube plus bright visible lighting and separate heat lamp
Replace UVB lamps on schedule and measure UVI when possible
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no visible light at night

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 32-35 °C

Bearded Dragon

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Pogona vitticeps is the currently accepted scientific name. In the hobby and in trade, the species is usually sold under the same name or under its common-name equivalents.

English common names used in the hobby:

Bearded dragon
Central bearded dragon

German common names used in the hobby:

Bartagame
Zentralbartagame

📌 Description

The Bearded Dragon ( Pogona vitticeps ) is one of the most popular lizards in the terrarium trade. Its name comes from the characteristic expandable throat pouch with spikes, which darkens under stress or dominant behavior and resembles a beard.