We've adopted another lizard

Ryūjin

We adopted a new lizard from a local pet store yesterday. This is a female Chinese Water Dragon. We've named her Ryūjin after a sea dragon from Japanese mythology.

From Wikipaedia:

Ryūjin or Ryōjin (龍神 "dragon god"), also known as Ōwatatsumi, was the tutelary deity of the sea in Japanese mythology. This Japanese dragon symbolized the power of the ocean, had a large mouth, and was able to transform into a human shape. Ryūjin lived in Ryūgū-jō, his palace under the sea built out of red and white coral, from where he controlled the tides with magical tide jewels. Sea turtles, fish and jellyfish are often depicted as Ryūjin's servants.

Unfortunately her arm was broken and the pet store took her to a vet several times who put a cast on her arm. She healed up enough for the pet store to send her home but because she was injured they wanted to have her adopted out to someone with experience of taking care of reptiles instead of selling her to someone without experience.

Ryūjin is doing very well. She came home last night and we set up a vivarium with a waterfall for her so she could sit in water (something Chinese Water dragons love doing).

Ryūjin her new vivarium.

For now we're going to keep her in this habitat for a few months to ensure that she can take things easy and let her arm heal (it appears to be mostly healed at this point). Then when she's ready we're going to move her to a much larger vivarium so she can have more room to grow.

Unfortunately broken arms is a somewhat common problem with Chinese Water Dragons, for some reason their arms are very frail. But what they lack in upper arm strength they make up for in intelligence, this creature is smart and observant of her surroundings.

When she was at the pet store they gave her a lot of attention so she is also very socialized.

We'll post more about her later, maybe we'll have to change the name of this blog from Fluffy The Frilled dragon to Fluffy and Friends.

Fluffy the Frilled Dragon Eats a Fuzzy Mouse

Fluffy the Frilled Dragon eats a frozen fuzzy mouse. Slow-motion pounce at the end of the video. For more please visit his YouTube channel FluffyFrilledDragon

Fluffy Playing with Cat Toy Full Video

Fluffy Playing with a Cat Toy (Full Video)

Video - Fluffy and Bo Share Mealworms

Our First Video - Fluffy and Bo Sharing Mealworms

Reptile expo Iowa

 

 

 

 

Today I went to the reptile expo.  It was more like a snake expo. I will have to say I was let down a bit. there was a lack of lizards, and the frilled dragon guy didn't show up. I collected some business cards from the venders. I  have visited the sites, and I was not that impressed.  There was a lack of habitats, and reading information, (I mean that they had very few books out). I guess that I was expecting something better, and bigger. I didn't even see any educational classes. besides that it wasn't bad.  I did not come home empty handed, I did get Phi  (Dart frog). He has great markings teal and black. The guy and lady that I bought him from had some interesting prices for there frogs. First they were $15-$30.  When I came back to get Phi prices were $40-$50. I ended paying $40.  Now he is at home. Fluffy has a new cousin. I am posting a few pictures that I did get of PHI.

Update

Phi passed away…we're not sure why we think that perhaps it was either a problem with the vendor/breeder at the expo or just the stress of changing habitats, he was housed in a reptile terrarium with proper humidity and was fed fruit flies but phi unfortunately passed away.

WAYS TO GET YOUR FRILLED DRAGON

There are many ways to get your frilly. You can check with a pet store. Pet stores are 3-4 times removed from the breeder, (and as i found out) and may not be able to answer your questions. You can get your frilly from a reptile dealer. Or you can get your frilly from a reliable breeder. I feel this is the best way if you want to know the best information about frilled dragons. They can tell you about the bloodline, how to care for your frilly and what to look for in a frilly. Now when ordering from a breeder there are two way to get your frilly from them. First way is to drive and pick your frilly up right from the breeder. The other way is to have them Air shipped to you.  the following are some helpful tips on having your frilly shipped to you:

1. Most breeders ask that you pay in advance, either by credit card with, money order, or cashier check.

1. Not likely, some breeders may accept C.O.D.‘s. C.O.D.’s are more expensive. Most breeders do not offer this as an option.

1. Give the breeder your full name, address, and phone number where you can be reached.

1. Let the breeder know what airport you would like to use, or agree on door to door delivery.
2. Get the shipping date. On that shipping date call the breeder and get the air bill number, avoid weekend shipping most cargo offices are closed.
3. Most shipping takes 24 hours (Airport to Airport)
4. If you can, try to keep your frilly on the same airlines. You have to pay extra for each airline you use.
5. Ship only in good weather.
6. There are 3 types of shipping option;

1. Freight~ Basic, most used
2. Air express~ guaranteed flights
3. Small package~ fast level of service

The last two you will pay more, so compare Airlines.

1. Don’t be afraid to call the airport and check the status of your frilly. You will need the air billing number, this will help the airline track your frilly.

1. Pick up your frilly as soon as it arrives at the airport, especially if the weather is bad. Get the cargo office hours. Make arrangements to pick up your frilly at the ticket counter if the cargo office is closed.

1. Once Airline verifies that payment has been made, check out your frilly before you leave the airline. Reliable breeders guarantee live delivery.
2. If something is wrong, you will need to fill out a “Discrepancy” or “Damage” report. Get it signed and dated, before leaving the airlines. Insist on filing the claim form at this time. Get a claim number.
3. Call the breeder right away.

I hope this information will be helpful in your search. Happy hunting....

Temp and Humidity & Fluffy

 

last night I went to pet smart to get the last (I hope) of the things I needed for Fluffy I have added a fogger by ZooMed, more vines to climb on, more greenery, (you could get your greenery from a craft store if they use non-toxic chemicals). In Iowa I would have to say Pet Smart has the best selection for reptile, HANDS DOWN. Now keep in mind I did not get any information from their employees, nor did I ask. And that is only my opinion!!!  If u live in Des moines Iowa and you have had problems with Pet Smart and you are a Petco fan I do suggest that you go to the Jordan Creek store and ask for Daniel, he works during the day, he knows his stuff. If he don't he will tell you and not make it up like the other guy that works in the Reptile dept.

Temp. and Humidity
Today I had to work so I was not able to monitor it all day but tonight I did some fine tuning, and still have to work at it, but at this point I'm still not sure how high the humidity level should be? (Tomorrow Fluffy will go to the vet, and at that time I will ask the vet at that point)
I'm having some problems I cant get the temp past 90 degrees. fluffy is in a 30gallon tank, with two 100 watt heat lamps, and a full spectrum light during the day. Also a black heat lamp at night, and a 30 gallon under tank heating mat. I'm starting to think that it could be the temp gage. not sure.  tonight the temp is at 80 degrees, which is good i think. The temp should never get below 70 degrees!!!  (that information came from the petco web site.) So take it for what it is worth.  Like I said, I will have more true information for a reptile vet.

And now more on Fluffy
He didn't move much till I got home from work.  When I got  from work I held Fluffy. He did his thing for and hour then he climb up. He has been there all night . He turns his head and looks around a lot. My guess is that he is still getting use to his home. He has not jumped in the water but is enjoying the mist hitting his body.

 

Petco

This morning i went to petco to exchange a few things. Petco was kind enough to make an appointment with a vet here in town. So im glad about that. On monday Fluffy goes to the vet and i should find out if he is a boy or a girl! not that it matters. i was just concerned because of how skinny he/she is.... and when i fed Fluffy he ate like he has not been fed for days. i have also posted pictures of him/her on this page and on my face book!!!!
i have not started to introduce Fluffy to the dog and cat yet. that will come later. i want him to get use to his home and me at first!!! but soon he will meet white kitty, rudy and dancer.... wish me luck for that!!! but that will be later down the road!