Bearded DragonsBearded dragons, or Pogona Vitticeps to give them their scientific name, are gentle beasts, originating in Australia. They are one of the most common dragons used as pets and this is due to the fact that when tamed, they enjoy being handled by their owners.
Bearded dragons are named so because of their defensive actions. If they feel threatened they inflate the skin around the throat area to form a sort of beard-like structure which is used to intimidate predators. The body of a bearded dragon looks rather flattened and its tail can be almost as long as the body itself. They are usually a “tan” color but are also found in shades of yellow and it proves difficult to tell the difference between males and females. However, as they mature and become adults, the difference in gender starts becoming more noticeable with the male generally having a larger head and a darker beard than their female counterparts.
They are relatively small animals, usually only between 16 and 20 inches long and are perfect pets for those that wish to keep reptiles, both beginners and the more advanced. Combine this with their naturally docile nature and they are fast becoming one of the most popular reptiles to be owned as pets. They love attention and they are perfectly safe to keep in homes where there are children.
Bearded dragons live for approximately 10 years; therefore owning one is a large commitment. You need to ensure that you have the right equipment to be able to look after it properly; otherwise you might find yourself with costly vet bills! The list of items they require is quite extensive and it is costly to buy, therefore you should think long and hard before you decide to house one.
The first thing you will need to think about is a home of your bearded dragon. If you purchase a dragon from a young age, you will find that it will only be about 10 inches long so could therefore be homed in a 20 gallon aquarium or vivarium. However, a tank of this size will only last for a few months as they tend to grow rather quickly and you will need to buy a larger tank. This time it would need to be a 55 or 60 gallon tank.
Bearded dragons are small and quite nimble creatures, therefore you need to ensure it cannot escape from it’s tank. You will need a top that fits tightly, but still allows for ventilation and the sides of the tank need to be smooth, which is why glass is preferable. If the sides are not smooth the bearded dragon may injure itself.
Once you have a home for the dragon, the lighting is next on the list. A bearded dragon needs between 12 and 14 hours of light per day to mimic it’s natural environment. You can get flourescent bulbs that fit along the top of your tank, ideally the whole length but ensure the dragon cannot get within 8 inches of the lamp, to avoid burning. The reason for this type of lighting is because a bearded dragon needs UVB rays to produce vitamin D. These rays cannot penetrate glass so this is why if fixing the light to the outside of the glass tank, a wire or mesh surface should be at part of the lid to ensure the dragon cannot get out but the rays from the light can get in.
Once the lighting has been sorted, you need to think about heating the glass tank. It will require temperatures of between 95 -100 degress during the day and 60 – 80 degrees at night and it is vital that you have a thermometer to monitor this temperature. There are many lights and heat mats that can be used to maintain this temperature, but you must ensure that there is a cooler part of the tank for the dragon to escape to should it get too warm. Ideally you should have a temperature guage on each side to ensure that both are reading correctly.
After temperature considerations come the substrate. Sand is the best option for an adult bearded dragon but juveniles should have reptile carpet or old newspaper to ensure that they do not ingest the sand while eating. Reptile sand is inexpensive and can bought in a range of colors. There are certain things that you should not line the tank or cage with and these include things such as cat litter, gravel and potting soil.
Decorating the tank is the next thing and branches are always a good choice as they give the dragon something to climb upon. It also allows them to get closer to the light and heat sources but again, be sure it cannot get too close. There should also be a hiding spot and this can be as simple or as complicated as you wish and even though you can get specific hiding holes for reptiles in most pet shops, toilet roll tubes and cleaned plant pots can easily be used as well. You can also use nontoxic, washed plants to decorate your dragons home, but check it is suitable before use.
When it comes to feeding and watering the dragon, you must always ensure the water is fresh and placed in a shallow bowl so that there is no danger of it being tipped over. Water is not only there to drink but is also used for correct humidity. They must be fed a diet containing both meat and vegetable matter with worms, cockroaches and even small mice suitable as well as certain vegetables and fruits such as grapes, carrots, clover and peas. However, everything must be small enough for the dragon to handle.
Once you have completed all of the above tasks, you are ready to choose your bearded dragon and take it home. There are important things you should learn about handling, hygiene and cleaning so it is always a good idea to seek advice from the professionals before you purchase your bearded dragon.
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