Like all reptiles, bearded dragons shed their skin. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons why they are kept as pets. When you purchase a bearded dragon, you’ll need to make sure that you provide them with a healthy diet and sufficient water. They should also be able to have access to a safe enclosure with enough room for them to move around comfortably.
The central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, is the most common species to have as a pet. They are also known as the pogona, the bearded dragon, and the Australian red-tongued lizard. These lizards are very docile and can live up to 10 years.
When you love something, you want to know everything you can about it, so you can keep it healthy. Bearded dragons are fun, fast-growing lizards that are popular pets.
If you’re looking for a reptile that’s going to make you happy and proud, then bearded dragons are just about the best animal to adopt. They come from a long line of hardy, fierce animals that have survived in the wild. However, their long legs and thick, furry skin make them perfect for a warm environment. If you want to keep your bearded dragon happy and healthy, then you should do some research and plan ahead. Read on to learn more.
Pogona
Pogona can be found in the tropics and subtropics around the world. The pogona is a lizard that is native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia.
Pogona is a genus of reptiles. There are six lizard species in this genus. They are often known as “bearded dragons”.
The koala is a marsupial, which means it is born with fur and goes through a process called metamorphosis to shed its fur and become a baby koala.
Bearded Dragon For Beginners (The Complete Care Sheet)
I’ve been working with reptiles for more than 25 years and I’ve found that a lot of people are intimidated by reptiles and feel overwhelmed when thinking about keeping them as pets. If you are a beginner, I can help you get started with your bearded dragon. I am a reptile expert and have experience raising reptiles in captivity. I have written a complete care sheet for bearded dragons for beginners which you can find here.
Beardies are the only species in the genus Phascolarctos. They are found throughout eastern and southeastern Australia, from the southern coast to Tasmania. They are nocturnal and prefer to sleep in the trees or on the ground. They are easily kept as pets in an aquarium or terrarium and can be fed with a variety of foods including raw fruit, vegetables, insects, crickets, mealworms, and earthworms.
There are many different varieties of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in zoos and aquariums. Some of these animals are poisonous, and some are not. If you are interested in learning about how to care for reptiles and amphibians, then continue reading to know more about what you need to know.
Bearded dragons as Habitat:
The only place in the world where you can find a population of wild bearded dragons is Australia. The only places in the world where you can buy them are the United States, where they are bred for the pet trade, and Australia, where they are bred for the pet trade.
The temperature of the environment affects how much the bearded dragons’ body temperature changes, which determines how much energy they use. They need to be in a warm environment because their bodies are not equipped to regulate their temperature without an external source of heat. In fact, they can die if their body temperature drops too low.
They are medium-sized fish that lives in rivers and streams. They are also known as pike-perch or carp-perch.
The behavior of bearded dragons:
Adult bearded dragons are highly territorial animals, have elaborate courtship rituals, and are known for being aggressive. Males and females are very different, with the male having a long, thick beard while the female has a shorter, thinner beard. This beard is used by both males and females as a way to communicate. If a male is trying to establish a territory or if he is interested in mating with a female, he will use his beard to show her who is boss.
The beaded lizard is an Australian lizard that uses the same method to communicate with other lizards. They also use their beards to create different patterns, which may help them camouflage themselves from predators.
Bearded dragons can go through brumation, also called “winter sleep.” During this time, they will stop eating and only drink water sporadically. They will have no activity for several weeks to months. If you notice your bearded dragon acting strangely, take them to a veterinarian.
Courtship and breeding:
I like to think of the male bearded dragon as a kind of fashion designer, picking out the perfect outfit for the female. He starts by checking out the female colors and patterns. Then, he spends time inspecting her shape and size. Finally, he chooses the best spot to mount her. While mounting her, he begins to dance, wave his arms, and bob his head. When he is finished, he gently bites her neck, releasing a substance called “pheromone.
Scientists have been studying the effects of heat on bearded dragon embryos for more than 30 years. One of their most famous experiments showed that the sex of the embryos can be manipulated by altering the temperature during incubation. This experiment was done by Dr. Patricia Wibbelsman of the University of Wyoming. She found that if the temperature is too high during the first weeks of development, then the embryos will develop as females instead of males.
4 Important things about your bearded dragon
- Of all the lizards that can be found in the wild, only 8 different species of bearded dragons can be found in Australia.
- Male and female dragons both have beards, which they puff out to make themselves appear larger.
- They use body language such as head-bobbing and hand-waving, among other things, to show dominance and submission.
- They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and small insects.
How to make a bearded dragon’s home?
I’m going to share with you how to make a bearded dragon’s home.
one of the most important parts of keeping a bearded dragon is to make sure that it has a comfortable home. If it doesn’t have a home, it is going to be more stressed and be less happy. If it is stressed, it is going to be less healthy. The home should be a place that is comfortable for the bearded dragon, but also one that is a place where it feels safe.
First, you need to choose the right home. The bearded dragon’s home should be big enough for it to turn around in, and it should have good ventilation.
The space in the home should be big enough to give the bearded dragon plenty of space to move around and feel safe.
- The first step is to make a hole in the ground. You can make the hole anywhere, as long as it is deep enough for the bearded dragon to hide in.
- After you have made the hole, you need to fill it with clay and sand.
- You can add some gravel to the bottom to help the water drain out.
- You can also add some small rocks to the bottom to help keep the bearded dragon’s feet dry.
The second step is to make a cage for the bearded dragon. You can make the cage out of wood, wire, or any other material that is durable.
As I have said before, the first step is to choose the right cage. There are many options, but here is a list of the most popular and cost-effective ones.
I have chosen cages that are easy to make, cost-effective, and offer good quality. If you are planning to buy a new cage, then you will be able to make it yourself or buy it from a pet shop.
1. Plastic boxes –
These are the cheapest option. They are easy to make and can be bought at any pet shop. They are cheap and offer a lot of room. They are also good for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a cage.
However, these are not very strong and the lid can come off easily.
2. Plastic containers –
These are slightly more expensive than the plastic boxes. They are also easier to make. They are usually made of plastic, but they can be made of wood.
They are good for small animals and they are a bit more sturdy than plastic boxes.
3. Metal boxes –
These are slightly more expensive than plastic boxes and plastic containers. They are also made of metal and are stronger than plastic boxes.
After your bearded dragon is fully grown, it’ll need a terrarium that’s at least 40 gallons in volume. It should have a screened lid for them to live in.
Space permitting, I recommend a 48” x 24″ (122 x 61 cm) habitat for your bearded dragon.
Your bearded dragon is an insectivore that lives in a hot & dry environment. To keep him comfortable you’ll need a heating source for his home.
Bearded dragons prefer the solitary life.
There are so many things you can put in your bearded dragon’s terrarium
- Add a reptile carpet or tile at the bottom of your bearded dragon’s terrarium.
- For the older bearded dragons, an abiotic substrate will be a more suitable choice than a substrate made for desert dwellers.
- Reptile carpet is a safe and affordable option for keeping reptiles at home. They make good pets for children.
- These guys are so small, that they might accidentally swallow the bedding material, which is bad for them.
- Scoop up waste when it is noticed and provide clean bedding as needed (at least once a month).
- It’s important that you provide your bearded dragon with secure climbing and hiding places for it to use as it grows.
- Add a few branches for hiding and climbing.
Other factors like Humidity, Heating & Lighting for your bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are reptiles and need a reliable source of heat, plus a cooler area to stay comfortable.
Follow these tips:
- Your dragon’s habitat should have a thermometer, hygrometer, and some way to provide oxygen for your dragon.
- Keep your bearded dragon’s humidity level between 20% and 30%!
- If the humidity is less than 20% a light misting once a day will be sufficient.
- Keep your sun lamp focused on the same spot as your UVA bulb to provide it with adequate sunlight throughout the day. This will help the habitat to be the warmest spot during the day.
- For most types of fabrics, the coolest spot is between 75 and 85 degrees F (24 and 29 degrees C).
- Turn the lights off at night. Use a ceramic heat emitter or night heat lamp to keep the temperature between 68 and 74 F (20 to 23 C).
- They can be active during the day or night, just like you.
- They’re much more likely to prefer to bask in the glow of a UVA/UVB bulb for a full 12 hours each day.
Substrate
You can use sand, gravel, newspapers, or paper towels as your substrate. Sand is the easiest and most effective, but you must make sure that it is not too large or too small. Sand is best if it is the size of your palm, but you can also use gravel if you want to create a more authentic look. Newspaper is great for creating your substrate because it is soft, flexible, and easy to use.
Proper food for the bearded dragons to eat
Bearded dragons are omnivores; they eat plants and animals.
To feed your young bearded dragon, make sure you provide them with the right diet. Young hatchlings and juveniles will mostly eat small insects. When your bearded dragon is slightly more mature, it’ll need to consume more vegetables and fewer insects.
Check the water and food bowl regularly to make sure they’re clean.
- Juveniles: 50% insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, mealworms, and wax worms), 50% plant matter (dark, leafy greens, squash, carrots, etc)
- Adults: 90% plant matter, 10% other Insects
- Supplements: Juveniles: Calcium + Vitamin D, multivitamins, B vitamins, omega-3, and iodine. Make sure it is calcium with vitamin D3 as a good source of vitamin D is required for healthy bones. The body can also be made to produce vitamin D from sunlight exposure, but this needs to be done in the summer months.
Bearded dragons Diet:
Bearded dragons are omnivorous. This means they eat a variety of foods including insects, fruits, vegetables, and some meat.
They are also carnivores. Bearded dragons can be found in many places in the wild including Australia, Africa, Asia, and South America. Bearded dragons are native to Australia. They were first discovered in the wild in 1828 by British naturalist George Shaw. Bearded dragons are a large species that live in the wild and are not very easy to breed in captivity. In nature, bearded dragons live in pairs.
What should feed them?
- Protein: Bearded dragons are very social creatures. They like to live among other lizards and share a mutual “home. Young beardies should eat once a day; adults may only need to dine every two days. Try not to feed beardies too much during meals. If they don’t finish their entire meal, try giving them less the next time.
- Calcium: Make sure your bearded dragon’s live food is always kept fresh and moist. Every two weeks, dust your bearded dragon’s live food with a calcium supplement.
- Vegetables: Your beard should contain 25% vegetables and half as much meat. Favorite vegetables include kale, collard greens, mustard greens, zucchini
- Packaged food: When feeding your beardie, be sure to provide her with commercial foods that contain protein. Most adult lizards prefer to have a lower amount of protein than juvenile lizards. There are many brands available, ranging from low-protein to high-protein options.
- Water: If your beardie doesn’t want to drink out of a shallow bowl of water you can put them in a shallow dish of water and lightly mist the dish.
Follow the tips to keep your bearded dragon healthy?
Don’t pick up your new reptile until they’ve been there for at least three or four days. This gives them a chance to get used to their new environment.
Aside from annual physical exams, which are often recommended at this age, there are several warning signs that your pet needs to be examined by a veterinarian with reptile experience. These include:
- More hiding time than usual;
- less eating and drinking,
- maybe even weight loss;
- swollen joints;
- skin is discolored and shedding;
- abnormal eye, nose, or mouth;
- runny or abnormal droppings for more than two days;
- lack of droppings for extended periods of time.
Bearded dragons SAFETY TIPS
- All animals can carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases that can be passed from animals to humans.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm, soapy water before and after touching any pet or its habitat.
- Children should be taught to wash their hands after playing outside or interacting with pets, habitats, and aquariums.
“Beware!” I can’t tell you how often I get this question. Most people think that bearded dragons are easy to care for, however, they’re still wild animals that require some special attention.
Handling
It is important to wash your hands before and after handling your dragon. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can be found in feces and can cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If you think you have been exposed to a bearded dragon with Salmonella, call your veterinarian or your local health department immediately.
Many people think that dragons are fragile, but that’s not true. In fact, the more care you take with your dragons, the less likely they are to break. When you get a new dragon, I recommend that you wait for at least three to four days to handle it for short periods of time. This is because the dragon’s body is still adjusting to its surroundings.
Cleaning the Tank of your bearded dragons
Many beginners have a hard time cleaning their tanks. If you want to know how to clean your tank properly, please check out my article on how to clean your tank.
If you are going to check your dragon’s fecal matter for parasites, it is important to do so at least once every two weeks. Parasites can be dangerous and they are difficult to detect, so it is best to get your dragon checked out by a professional. You can find more information about Bearded Dragons and their parasites in my article, “Bearded Dragons – Parasite Profile.
Bearded Dragons life:
The average life expectancy for bearded dragons is around 7-12 years. This can vary depending on the species, diet, and care provided. The lifespan can be extended with proper husbandry practices.
Most often, colic results from intestinal impaction and is treated with a special diet, usually low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. It is important to be sure to provide water at all times and remove any substrate (like hay) that the dragon may be eating.
The appearance of the Bearded Dragons:
The appearance of the beardie is fairly easy to identify. However, in most cases, the species is not commonly seen. The main reason for this is that these animals are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. This makes them difficult to spot because they prefer to live in dark caves and crevices where they can hide during the day. It’s only when they are startled that they come out to feed and hunt.
When comparing the performance of an index fund vs. a managed fund, one of the most important things to consider is the tail base. This is the length of time that the fund has been around. In general, funds with a longer tail base are better performing than those with a shorter tail base. In the case of the S&P 500, the index fund has a 5-year tail base while the managed fund has a 1-year tail base.
Size of the Bearded Dragons
This is a popular choice for beginners because they are relatively easy to care for. They are not too demanding and do not require as much space as other species. The good thing about them is that they are not expensive. You can find them at pet stores for less than $100 and they can live up to 20 years.
Colors of the Bearded Dragons
There are many different types of lizards available in the pet trade, and some of them are bred specifically for a particular color. These include the blue lizards, green lizards, and red lizards. I have two red lizards myself, and they are both from the same bloodline. My green lizard is from the same bloodline as well, but it has different coloring than mine.
Bearded Dragon Babies
In the wild, bearded dragons mate in the spring when the female is most fertile. When the female is ready, she will flatten her body and allow the male to mount her. She will then circle the male until he bites her neck, indicating he is ready for sex. The male will continue to bite her neck until she allows him to insert his penis into her cloaca. After mating, the female will then lay eggs.
After brumation, it is best to breed your reptiles before breeding them. Reptile keepers must brumate their reptiles in a cool, dark place with access to water for at least six months. During this period, the animals should eat a diet of crickets, mealworms, and earthworms. The reptiles must be kept in a separate room from the breeder or keeper, as they can be dangerous if they feel threatened.
- If you are raising dragon eggs for the first time, here are some things you should know before you begin:
2. The eggs should be kept in a shallow bowl of water with a paper towel on top of them, so they don’t dry out.
3. You should use a soft-bristled brush to clean the eggs.
I would never advise you to buy your pet before it is at least three months old. This is because a baby reptile is very fragile and needs to be fed and cared for properly. If you are unable to provide for the needs of your pet, then it is better to wait until they are older.
The usual cost of a Bearded Dragon
The usual cost of a Bearded Dragon Babies is from $40 to $60, but it varies with age factor as a more than six months Bearded Dragon may cost you $100. Its color is also a great cost factor may be increased to $800.