| Bearded Dragon |
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Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps Common Name: Bearded Dragon Introduction Bearded dragons are relatively small growing no bigger then 18-24 inches, they have large appetites eating almost anything. Easily affordable (45 - 100 dollars average cost of a baby) and they are very docile making them one of the most popular pets available. Housing Baby Bearded Dragons can be housed in a 10 gallon cage. As they get bigger, they will need to be moved into a larger area. Within 6 months they will be needed to be moved into at least a 20 gallon aquarium. Costum built cages are a good idea because they are cheap, and you can make them the right size for any animal. A 55 Gallon aquarium is suitable for two dragons, NEVER house two full grown males together, they will fight over teritory, causing harm or maybe even death to one of them. MOST females get along with other females, but there have been some instances of fighting between females, if fighting occurs, you need to separate the agressive one from the rest as soon as possible. Becareful when you have two or more bearded dragons in the same cage you have to watch and make sure that one is not dominating over the other one, taking all of the food and the basking spots because this will cause loads of stress on the less dominate one. Setup There should be plenty of rocks and branches for climbing, especailly if there is more then one lizard in the cage. A hide box should also be included so your lizard can hide when he is scared. They need plenty of hiding places and basking spots, especially if there is more then one in an enclosure. Bearded Dragons can grow to be between 18 to 24 inches long. Fake plants are a bad idea because many times the lizard will try to eat them and this can be deadly to the lizard, if you do use plants, be ware that you might not have them for long because Bearded dragons like to eat plant. Bedding There are several different types of material that can be used as bedding. I use Carpet, it is easy to clean, harmless to the lizard and it looks good, all you need to do is get two pieces of carpet the size of the bottom of the cage and switch one while you clean the other. Newspaper is and easy way to clean things, but it is not the best looking thing to use, the ink is harmless to the lizard but it makes their under side turn blackish. Wood Chips are not recommended because the dragon could try to taste it and it could get caught in its digestive system and could become deadly. Sand is a good idea for adult dragons because it is easy to clean and is small enough to not get caught in their digestive tracks. Calci-sand and walnut shavings should never be used because it is deadly to the lizard. Baby Bearded Dragons should be kept on paper towels until they are 6 months. Sand and reptile bark should never be used for a Bearded Dragon under 6 months, because they are very in-acurate when eating and may accidently swallow peaces that are not digestible. Heating and Lighting Temperature is very important to a bearded dragon because they can not produce heat and it helps with digestion. Hatchlings need a temperature between 95° - 105°F. Adults require a temperature of 88° - 95°F. The cool end of the enclosure should be around 70-80°F and at night should not fall below 60°F. You should also get an under cage heater, to help with the digestion of food and to help keep them warm at night. Temperatures can be easily achieved by a 60 watt light bulb in a 20 gallon cage. Be careful that the temperatures are not to hot because it could cook the lizard, if you notice that the lizards are sitting with their mouths open, then that means they are most likely too hot and they are letting heat out, try to adust the temperature to cool down some. Heat rocks are not recommended because they can burn the lizards belly, because lizards can only sense an over all temperature, and not a regional temperature. They are a basking lizard so they need a source of UV light, to help them produce vitaman D (with out vitamin D they can develope Metabolic bone disease) this can be bought at most pet stores. Make sure that there is no plastic or glass in the way of the light, because this can filter out the UV rays. The easiest way to regulate the temperature is to get an in cage thermometer. Lights should be on between 12 to 14 hours per day and off at night, if they are not turned off at night it can disrupt their sleep, causing stress to your lizard. Water A water dish can be kept in the cage but it needs to be changed daily. You should also spray the glass and the lizard a couple of times daily Feeding As babies they will eat mainly crickets. Make sure the crickets are no larger then one third the size of the lizards head, or no bigger then the distance between the lizards eyes. If it is to big, it could get caught in their digestive system and can be deadly. As they get older they will start to eat other things such as meal worms, fruits and veggies. Full size adults can eat pinky mice, but no more then once or twice a month. DO NOT FEED THEM FIRE FLIES, they are very toxic to a dragon and it will kill your lizard, also DO NOT FEED THEM ICEBURG LETTUCE, it can cause dehidration, wich can kill your lizard. You should dust their food with a vitamin D supliment at every feeding. Bearded Dragons diet can consist of crickets, meal worms, pink mice, fruits and veggies. Purchasing When purchasing a bearded dragon, or any other typ of lizard, they should be alet and active. Cheack the cage to make sure that it is not over crowded or dirty. They should be bright, not faded (when shedding their color fades though). Their eyes should be clear, not clouded. Ask if you can hold the animal before you buy it, and also ask to see it eat. Shedding Bearded dragons shed on an average of 8-10 times in thier first year of growth. When they shedm they may loose thier appitite up to two days before they shed. They will turn a greyish color and may not want to be hadled as much. When you notice they are starting to shed, you need to increase the humididty in the tank, by spraying a few more times. When they bewgin to shed, it should take no longer then 15-20 minutes. If it takes longer then 30 minutes then you need to soak them in warm water and then lightly peel the dead skin off with tweezers. You will know when your dragon sheds because they will not eat the skin, they will just leave it sitting in the tank. Handling Bearded dragons are very docile lizards, meaning they tolerate being handled more often then other lizads. At first your lizard might not like to be handled, because he is new and still adjusting. Give him some time and they will perch on your shoulder for hours. In order to help your dragon get used to handling, you need to pick him up for a couple of minutes each day, never pick him up from behind, this may scare him into running or biting. For the first week or so hold him inside the cage so he doesnt run away. Back |
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