Common name: Sailfin Dragon
Scientific name: Hydrosaurus species (several, including Hydrosaurus pustulatus, Hydrosaurus weberi, Hydrosaurus amboinensis)
Origin: Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Size: One of the largest agamid lizards
Length: 3–4 feet (including tail)
Weight: 2–5 lbs (males much larger)
Lifespan: 15–25 years in captivity (with proper care)
Body: Long, powerful, and athletic with strong limbs and claws
Tail: Laterally compressed with a large, sail-like fin on adult males (used for display and swimming)
Color: Greens, browns, purples, and sometimes blueish tones — males are more vivid
Head: Angular with a prominent crest, large eyes, and expressive face
Unique features: Males develop spectacular dorsal sails and can look “dinosaur-like”
Personality: Intelligent but naturally skittish; can tame down with patient, consistent handling
Handling: Stress-prone — prefer to climb, swim, and observe rather than be held
Behavior: Arboreal and semi-aquatic; excellent swimmers and fast movers
Social: Best housed singly (males especially territorial)
Enclosure size: Very large custom-built enclosure — at least 6–8 ft tall, 6+ ft long, and 3–4 ft wide for an adult
Environment needs: Think “jungle with a river” — vertical space, branches, basking areas, and a large water pool for swimming
Temperature:
Basking spot: 95–105°F
Ambient: 80–90°F
Night: 75–78°F
Humidity: 70–90% (essential — misting systems, live plants, and water features)
Lighting: Strong UVB lighting and heat lamps required for bone health and metabolism
Substrate: Soil, cypress mulch, bioactive setups with drainage
Type: Omnivore (mostly herbivorous with some animal protein)
Staple foods: Dark leafy greens (collard, mustard, dandelion), squash, carrots, flowers
Protein: Insects (crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms), occasional fish, snails, or small rodents (rarely — too fatty)
Fruit: Limited amounts of berries, mango, or papaya
Supplements: Calcium + D3 and vitamins required regularly
