BEARDED DRAGON

Bearded Dragons are native to the deserts of Australia . When threatened, they flatten their bodies and flare out their throat, which is covered with spines giving them a bearded appearance. Since they are active, social animals that become very tame, this behavior is seldom seen in captivity. They will eat out of your hand and appear to enjoy handling and petting. These lizards have been bred in captivity for almost 20 years and are very popular pets because of their attractive appearance and unique personalities.

Maximum size: 24”
Life span: 10+ years
Lighting: Full spectrum fluorescent high UVB bulbs and basking light are required. 12 to 14 hours of light, preferably on a timer, will provide optimal conditions.
Temperature range: Day 86°F Night 68° F Basking 98 to 108° F

Food:

These lizards have voracious appetites and grow quickly. Care should be taken to ensure they get enough food. Feed 1-2 hours after the lights have come on and their bodies have warmed up. Babies should start out with 5-10 ¼” crickets, mealworms, and waxworms coated in calcium and vitamin powder 2-3 times a day. Young Bearded Dragons should be fed often and as much as they want, but no more. Left over prey wandering around the cage will stress the dragons. Adjust the quantities accordingly and be sure to remove any uneaten prey when they have eaten all they want for that meal. Bite size pieces of vegetable matter should be provided daily in a shallow dish or lid. Leafy greens, such as collard greens, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, and dandelion greens are good choices and should be varied. When young, Bearded Dragons will nip at anything that moves and if kept in groups, this result in the loss of feet, legs, or tails unless they are fed well.

Water: 

Dragons will not drink standing water by they do need to get a lot of water to stay properly hydrated. Provide them with a shallow dish of water with an air stone bubbling in it. Directing a misting spray directly on the dragon’s head until they stop lapping up the water a couple of times a day will ensure that youngsters get enough water. Spraying the fresh vegetable daily will increase the water content obtained from them.

Housing/Habitat: 

An aquarium equipped with an under tank heating pad at one end, a sand substrate, landscaped to simulate their natural habitat. A rock placed under the basking light will absorb heat and provide bell heat to aid digestion. The rock should be placed so that the top spot reaches the high end of the needed basking temperature. Branches for climbing and hiding places in both the cool and the warm end of the enclosure are needed. These lizards have very high metabolisms and frequent sifting of the substrate to remove feces is required.