Iguana or Chinese Water Dragon?

Question

Currently i have a Ball Python, a pair of Leopard Geckos, and a Bearded Dragon. Seeing as how reptiles are going to be my future, i am looking to get a lizard that gets quite big, since i've already gotten a snake that will eventually be 5-6 feet long.

I have heard that iguanas can rip furniture to shreds with their claws, but if i keep them trimmed will it still happen? I also hear they do get quite messy, but im fine with cleaning up after them.

I havent heard much about chinese water dragons, but they look like really fun pets, and get almost as big as the iguanas. I plan to have a cage in the corner with proper lighting and maybe a couple things to climb on but mainly the iguana or water dragon will roam around in my room, or stay in an area for it in my room somewhere.

So mainly it comes down to what would be more expensive in the long run, what would be better in the long run, and how needy each of these are.

Answer 1

i had this EXACT same problem.... ok well iguanas are vegitarians STRICTLY or else they get mean water dragons are omnivours i believe.
iguanas get bigger and you canactually walk them in soecial harnesses

water dragins are smaller and harder to care for.

iguanas all they need really when they get bigger (3 foot and over) dont even need a cage just a litter box and they can run around your house.

hint though iguanas grow fast from there juvinile state and u would be better off to get the oungest iguana possible so you can hold it and not get hurt when bitten and eventually it will be used to you so it wont bite. iguana bites (when theyre bigger) and be nasty and go down to the bone. as you can see i picked the iguana...plus theyre cheaper

Answer 2

so, i see this post was 7 yrs ago; i'm wondering if you got the iguana : ) although it's too late to give this info to you, since i'm sure you've made a decision by now...lol, i'd like to clarify a couple things for anyone reading this who needs iguana info. so, i owned an iguana for 8 yrs that got over 4 ft long. first, they cannot bite to the bone; their teeth are too small. although, mine did bite me when i first got her once (she was young and scared), she was very docile and never bit again. she would whip someone with her tail though, if they were bothering her. first she'd cock it to warn you and if you didn't stop, she'd whip...and it DOES hurt! and if you get one, DO NOT use a litter box with cat litter or any other small rocks, etc. they lick everything as they move along and these types of things will back up in them and eventually kill them. there is tons of info on the internet about proper care of an iguana. i put mine in a semi-warm bath every day to poop...the warm water will make them go. if for some reason she had to go and i wasn't home, she luckily would go on the floor rather than the carpet, which was good. it can get kinda messy though as they'll drag their tail through it as they walk away. a full grown iguana will do best in a room of their own, or at least 1/2 a small bedroom. i had a cage made for mine that was 2ft x 4ft x 6ft tall to keep her in when i wasn't home after someone left the door open and she got outside and disappeared for a month. thankfully, i found her crossing the lawn one day and got her back. other than when i was at work, she was free-roaming, but she usually stayed under her heat lamp anyway. i wanted to give her, her own room with tree limbs and a little fake stream and pool. they do like to find hiding spots to sleep in sometimes or she would sit in the window to look outside. for food, there is a few mixes you can use; i used collard greens (a main staple for them) and mixed in shredded carrots, cucumbers, and zucchini. she loved all but the collard greens. it was hard to get her to eat them. i usually mixed in some lettuce with it to get her to eat them, but lettuce is useless to them as far as nutrition. if you only give them lettuce, it will shorten their life. mine also LOVED bananas and other fruit. hope this helps someone! Lisa

Answer 3

I have all those pets too. I Would suggest a Water Dragon. Iguanas have a tendency to get vicious (not all of them though). Dragons woun't be as large so they will eat less and won't need quite as big of a cage as an Iguana. I love my Dragon. He's calm and fun to watch.

Answer 4

You might want to check out the forums section at www.reptilerooms.com. They have a ton of awesome info and knowledgeable experts on hand to help answer questions. There is an Ig forum and a Water Dragon forum. I've learned a lot at this site. Asking these people may help you to make a better decision. Both have some special needs and pros/cons. I love them both!

Answer 5

Iguanas are lizards native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Genus iguana includes the Green Iguana, commonly kept as a pet, and the Lesser Antillean Iguana.

The term "Iguana" can also refer to other members of the lizard family Iguanidae; however, this article only concerns members of the genus iguana.

Iguanas can be considered an invasive species in South Florida[1] and along the gulf coast of Florida, especially on Gasparilla Island (where there is an estimated population of over 12000). This is due to a combination of escaped and intentionally released iguanas which have survived and then thrived in their new habitat. They commonly hide in the attics of houses and on beaches and often destroy gardens. As an introduced species, they contribute to natural habitat loss, spread salmonella, and may be responsible for the recent decline of the gopher tortoise. An interesting thing is that they can by unknown means end their own life, probably by releasing toxins
Iguanas live in tropical rainforest areas, mostly in lower altitudes in areas near water sources, like rivers or streams. They spend most of their time high in the forest canopy, about 40-50 feet above the ground.


[edit] Diet
Iguanas are regarded as omnivores, but usually consume plants, mainly leaves and fruits. Sometimes iguanas (especially younger ones) eat eggs, insects and other smaller vertebrates. Although Green Iguanas in captivity will eat animal food if presented with it, excessive consumption of animal protein may result in severe health problems and possible premature death [2]. Another problem with domesticated diet is lack of variety. Many people tend to feed them just lettuce, which provides iguanas with plenty of water but has little or no other nutritional value. Several pet stores also sell iguana food pellets, however these should always be supplemented with a diet of fresh leafy vegetables (such as mustard greens, collard greens, and kale) and other types of fresh fruits and vegetables.


[edit] In captivity
For an article on the information on the species of iguana most commonly kept as pets


Water dragons are large diurnal arboreal agamid lizards in the genus Physignathus. There are two species, the Chinese Water Dragon Physignathus cocincinus, and the Australian Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii (two sub-species). They are sometimes kept as pets, especially P. cocincinus, though a full-grown male of that species will measure about three feet (1 meter) total length and thus requires a fairly large enclosure for proper care.

P. cocincinus is found throughout South-East Asia, in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and south China. These lizards are semi-aquatic, using their laterally-compressed tails to propel them when swimming. They are able to remain submerged for long periods of time. Like many lizards, water dragons have a parietal eye, a light-sensitive "third eye" located in the top of the head.

Physignathus lesueurii males are easily distinguished from the females as they have a red coloured chest and belly, which is mostly visible when they lift their heads in defensive mode. Generally water dragons are usually shy creatures in the wild that may only make themselves known to the passer by from the sound of them dropping into a waterway. However, in breeding season, the mothers may become more aggressive in order to make themselves known to distract any potential predators from capturing her young. Juveniles are very sociable, playful creatures and are usually found in groups ranging from 3 - 8 young dragons.


Australian Eastern Water Dragon




Australian Eastern Water Dragon, Rainforest colouring




Eastern Water Dragon




ID go with the iguana because a iguana can get to 1-9 feet long 10 rarly.

Answer 6

iguana