If you to ensure your dragons are really cold hardy, then get Gippsland Water Dragons. They are common as around Canberra and Tumut and those places get really cold in winter. They like an elevated perch (rock or solid branch) in full sun, and preferably above or next to water, on which to bask. Supply at least one for each animal. They should be given a reasonable size body of water in which they can fully submerge. An old bath tub (from the tip recycling or salvage yard) is excellent as the depth helps keep the water cool – they use it to thermoregulate in summer. If placed at ground level, the plug can be removed for periodic flushing and cleaning. You can add a bit of piping to direct the waste water where you want it. The sides of the tub can be covered up with rocks and soil or logs and branches, to allow the lizards access. Because bath tubs have a smooth surface, the lizards will something they can climb up to get out of the water – preferably at each end. Adding some potted emergent reeds or rushes to the bath tub will help maintain water quality and providing hiding places for dragons while in the water. Freshwater shrimp, crayfish or tadpoles will help breakdown the food wastes deposited in the water. To avoid mozzies breeding, you can add a cold hardy native fish or two (e.g. Murray Rainbow, Southern Pygmy Perch) or an exotic such a Goldfish or some White Cloud Mountain Minnows. Water dragons require a non-wet retreat. A sheltered area with hollow logs, artificial burrows made using agricultural (terracotta) drainage pipes or low black plastic hide boxes with cut-out entry. For brumation hides should be protected from rain and elevated (to prevent water entry) covered with a thick layer of soil, hay or whatever to insulate them from temperature extremes.
