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Description
Weber’s Sailfin Dragon
Scientific Name: Hydrosaurus weberi
Common Name: Weber’s Sailfin Dragon, Weber’s Water Dragon
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 3 to 3.5 feet (91 to 107 cm) in total length, with males being larger and possessing taller dorsal crests.
Appearance: Weber’s Sailfin Dragons are striking semi-aquatic agamids featuring a tall sail-like crest along the tail, a smaller crest along the back, and pronounced facial ridges. Their coloration ranges from earthy browns and greys to olive or dark green, often accented with speckling or faint striping. Males display brighter tones and more defined crests, especially during breeding season. Their powerful limbs, long toes, and streamlined bodies reflect their adaptation to both climbing and swimming.
Distribution: Endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, particularly the island of Timor and surrounding regions.
Habitat: This species inhabits riverbanks, forest streams, mangrove edges, and humid lowland forests. They are strong climbers and swimmers, spending time basking on branches overhanging water and diving to escape threats.
Behaviour: Weber’s Sailfin Dragons are diurnal, semi-arboreal, and semi-aquatic. They are fast-moving, intelligent, and require large, complex environments. They bask frequently, swim readily, and exhibit territorial tendencies—especially males. Despite their size, they can become confident display animals when provided with ample space and environmental stability.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide an enclosure at least 6 × 3 × 4 feet (1.83 × 0.91 × 1.22 m) for one adult, with larger custom habitats strongly recommended due to their combination of swimming, climbing, and basking needs. Include a large water section deep enough for full-body immersion and swimming, along with sturdy branches, elevated basking platforms, dense vegetation, and secure hides. A soil-based tropical substrate should be used, deep enough to retain moisture while allowing natural digging behaviour.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 110 to 120°F (43 to 49°C)
Warm side: 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C)
Cool side: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C)
Night temperatures: 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C)
Humidity: 70 to 90%, supported by regular misting, deep substrate, and the presence of a large water feature.
Lighting: Provide bright full-spectrum lighting with strong UVB (10 to 12%). Additional bright LED lighting enhances behavioural activity and helps replicate forest-edge conditions.
Diet: Weber’s Sailfin Dragons are omnivorous. Offer a varied diet that includes insects (roaches, crickets, black soldier fly larvae, silkworms), small amounts of fish or crustaceans, leafy greens, vegetables, aquatic plants, and seasonal fruits such as berries or melon. Supplement insects with calcium frequently and provide multivitamins weekly.
Behaviour in Captivity: This species is active, alert, and thrives in large, richly furnished enclosures. They enjoy swimming, basking, and climbing. With consistent care, they become confident display reptiles but are easily stressed by small enclosures or inadequate humidity. Handling should be minimal—they are powerful and may become defensive if restrained.
Special Considerations:
• Provide a very large enclosure with both swimming and climbing opportunities.
• Maintain very high humidity with strong airflow to prevent mould.
• Avoid excessive handling; they thrive best as display animals.
• Secure the enclosure well—this species is strong and fast.
• Offer UVB and heat gradients that support prolonged basking behaviour.
Taxonomy Note
Hydrosaurus weberi belongs to the sailfin dragon group, a genus of large, semi-aquatic agamids from Indonesia and the Philippines. Weber’s is one of the smaller species in the group but still requires considerable space due to its high activity level.
Genetics Note
There are no recognised morphs for Weber’s Sailfin Dragons. Natural variation exists in crest height, colour saturation, and pattern density, but these differences reflect normal individual and locality-based diversity.