Black Dragons
(aka crocodile skinks)
Well not exactly. Thats what my friends and I have been calling them. Theyre more commonly called Crocodile Skinks now. Their scientific name is Tribolonotus gracilis for the red eyed variety and Triblonotus novaeguineae for the variety without the red eye rings. But Ive kept them since before people seemed to settle on any common name and have always referred to them as dragons, so forgive me but thats what Ill continue to do. I currently keep 1.1 red eyed and 2.4 white eyed breeders plus their offspring as necessary.
-My History working with Dragons-
I acquired my first pair of these beauties from Ben Seigel Reptiles. I can not honestly remember exactly when but I do know that my first hatchling was born in 2009 without my knowledge or trying after some time keeping the parents. There wasnt many in the states yet and soo unfortunately little was known about them or their care at the time. Many US tribbies perished during this time of trial and sadly error.
I hate to admit that I managed to keep my original pair alive where many others failed mostly by accident. At the time I mainly had space for them nearest the window of my dedicated reptile room. This happy accident kept them slightly cooler than the rest which turned out to be exactly what they required. For the rest I just watched them. It didnt take long to realize they were unhappy in drier climates, always soaking in the water bowl, but skittishly fleeing on sight, so I raised the humidity and offered more hides. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing them, so in time I developed a taste for more naturalistic terraria in order to produce even more beautiful pictures. This again was a happy accident that lead to even better care for the dragons. Interesting enough, Ive been keeping tribbies the way that 'the experts' now say to, since before there was ever a care sheet written on them. Pretty cool huh?
I acquired my first pair of these beauties from Ben Seigel Reptiles. I can not honestly remember exactly when but I do know that my first hatchling was born in 2009 without my knowledge or trying after some time keeping the parents. There wasnt many in the states yet and soo unfortunately little was known about them or their care at the time. Many US tribbies perished during this time of trial and sadly error.
I hate to admit that I managed to keep my original pair alive where many others failed mostly by accident. At the time I mainly had space for them nearest the window of my dedicated reptile room. This happy accident kept them slightly cooler than the rest which turned out to be exactly what they required. For the rest I just watched them. It didnt take long to realize they were unhappy in drier climates, always soaking in the water bowl, but skittishly fleeing on sight, so I raised the humidity and offered more hides. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing them, so in time I developed a taste for more naturalistic terraria in order to produce even more beautiful pictures. This again was a happy accident that lead to even better care for the dragons. Interesting enough, Ive been keeping tribbies the way that 'the experts' now say to, since before there was ever a care sheet written on them. Pretty cool huh?
-CARE-
Here and here are some links to some caresheets that I for the most part do agree with.
I keep my tribbies in pairs in severely heavily planted ten gallon tanks. NOT trios. oh my gosh dont do that unless you know FOR SURE that your females are mother-daughter or sisters and do not fight, and do not expect any eggs from the group if you do so. DONT keep males together. just dont. not even brothers. It has happened to me and another i know of that a pair of brothers raised together, only 2 months apart in age, suddenly just turned on each other. So please just dont. Pairs is best. There is no way around this. Heres a video on how to sex them, so there is no confusion.
-COOL FACTS-
#1 THEY PLAY DEAD-DONT BITE-CAN BE VERY TAME- Each of my dragons has their own little personality. Some are very chill and dont seem to mind being seen or light handling, some are very shy. Generally speaking they never bite though, preferring to play dead (comical to see). The bolder ones can be very very tame and even hand fed.
#1 THEY PLAY DEAD-DONT BITE-CAN BE VERY TAME- Each of my dragons has their own little personality. Some are very chill and dont seem to mind being seen or light handling, some are very shy. Generally speaking they never bite though, preferring to play dead (comical to see). The bolder ones can be very very tame and even hand fed.
COOL FACT #2: THEY TALK-PROTECT EACH OTHER. yeah unlike most reptiles they can vocalize and will do so if you insist on annoying them. Ive noticed they usually do this for one reason- youre scaring them or they feel compelled to protect another dragon they care about. This happens to me when they/their mate is gravid and your scaring them/their mate 3) youve come too close to their egg/hatchling and again, they're scared. Im sure some will say this is anthropomorphism, and I dont care. This is my observation so take it or leave it.
Notice in this video below how the keeper says 'usually hes not like this' and then right next to him is his mate. I bet shes newly gravid. My males get this way if you get to close their first fatherhood too. It goes away in time.
Notice in this video below how the keeper says 'usually hes not like this' and then right next to him is his mate. I bet shes newly gravid. My males get this way if you get to close their first fatherhood too. It goes away in time.
COOL FACT #3 BABIES!!!
If you want babies, they're easy to get. All you gotta do is create a good environment, feed well, and have a mature pair. Thats it. They dont need any cycling, they dont need any special coaxing of any kind, and they'll incubate the egg themselves too. They can lay several eggs a year one at a time, If thats something youd like to do you MUST keep a calcium supplement readily available for your female though. back to back laying is taxing on a lady dragon!
If you want babies, they're easy to get. All you gotta do is create a good environment, feed well, and have a mature pair. Thats it. They dont need any cycling, they dont need any special coaxing of any kind, and they'll incubate the egg themselves too. They can lay several eggs a year one at a time, If thats something youd like to do you MUST keep a calcium supplement readily available for your female though. back to back laying is taxing on a lady dragon!