Image by Milchdrink from Pixabay
Bearded dragons are one of the easiest reptiles to care for, and make fantastic pets. Because of their gentle nature, it is common for people to keep them as pets.
However, before bringing one into your house, it is crucial to learn about its care needs. So, if taking care of this friendly dragon sparks your curiosity, keep reading to learn how to go about it.
Origin
Let us start by learning more about the bearded dragon’s origin.
Bearded Dragons are cold-blooded, semi-aquatic lizards and have a pouch under their jaw, which they use to store food. These animals originated in savannas and deserts across Australia. There are seven distinct bearded dragons classified as Reptilia in the animal kingdom. The central bearded dragon is the most frequent (P. Vitticeps).
The Bearded Dragon is from the Agamidae family of lizards, which are native to Australia’s deserts. They have a distinct appearance with a broad, triangular-shaped head that is relatively flat and laced with thorn-like scales. The tail of an adult dragon can grow up to 18–24 inches. Males are usually larger than females.
The gular pouch on the neck of these lizards gives them their common name. It will extend its gular pouch to make itself look much bigger than its normal size when it feels threatened. The bearded dragon’s name comes from its blackish-purple neck, which takes on the appearance of a beard. There are eight different species of the bearded dragon.
Caring Guide
Now that we know a bit about bearded dragons, let us learn how to care for them.
Diet and Nutrition Requirements
Although bearded dragons have varied palates and preferences, there are a few things to keep in mind when providing a well-balanced diet. Lizards have various nutritional requirements throughout their lives and need a diversified and balanced diet rich in minerals and vitamins.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they consume both meat and plants. Generally, they are not fussy eaters and will quickly consume food when provided. Their age determines a large portion of their dietary requirements.
Food should be served in smaller portions. This requires pre-chopped fruits, vegetables, and greens to the required size.
The first six to twelve months of a bearded dragon’s existence are crucial for its overall growth and health. Therefore, 70% to 80% of their diet should consist of gut-loaded insects.
Dubia roaches are a favorite food of bearded dragons. These roaches supply a diverse spectrum of nutrients, including those required for the proper nutrition for bearded dragons.
It is necessary to ensure they obtain the proper nutrition to grow and thrive. However, if you are worried about getting good quality Dubia Roaches, try sites like https://www.topflightdubia.com/. Cricket, superworms, fly larvae, butterworms, earthworms, locusts, etc., are also some healthy options for your bearded dragon.
Tank and Enclosure
A Bearded Dragon’s enclosure should be made of glass, with a screen covering the top. Ideally, the tank should be four to six feet long, two feet wide, and two to three feet high.
This lizard can comfortably fit in a tank of this size. Keep the tank from overheating. In general, a larger tank is preferable to a smaller one.
There should be rocks and branches in the tank to provide them with places to hide and cool down after basking to simulate their natural habitat better.
Substrate
Sand or gravel might be used as a more natural substrate. However, your dragon can suffer severe digestive system damage from overeating sand.
Paper products, such as newspapers and paper towels, are not only more environmentally friendly but are also simpler to clean and dispose of. If you find any evidence of bacterial development in the substrate, you should clean it immediately.
Heating and Ventilation
Diurnal refers to an animal’s ability to be active throughout the day. Therefore, a total of 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness should be provided for them.
A UV lamp is required to keep Bearded Dragons healthy. UVB bulbs should be changed every six to twelve months using a UV radiometer. The infrared light should be between 40 and 75 watts, in addition to the UVB light.
Humidity
Misting the tank every 48 hours will keep the tank’s humidity between 30 and 40 percent. But, of course, the humidity and temperature of the enclosure depend on where you live, as well as the kind of dragon you are keeping.
Water Requirements
A large portion of their water requirements is met by the food they consume. It is necessary to keep a dish of water in their enclosure.
Bearded Dragons are from an arid climate, these pets may not know what to do with a dish of water when they see it. So, to avoid your pet from getting dehydrated you can take a further step by misting your Dragon.
Mist the animal with water, two to three times a day. Drinking water from the skin is a common practice for bearded dragons. To keep the humidity in the cage normal, carefully mist the dragon.
Give your bearded dragon proper baths. While some beardies can be anxious about this, others are delighted. You will have to make that decision for yourself. While having a bath, these pets are known to sip a little water.
Feed green vegetables with more water content. Lettuce is not a good food choice since it provides little nutritional benefit. However, it is fine to have a small amount of lettuce in their diet only to aid hydration.
Basic Health Check
Ask a staff member at the pet shop to remove the animal from its enclosure so you can have a better look at it. At first, the bearded dragon may likely act excitable and wiggle a little. Keep a firm but not too tight grip on it.
Here are some signs to observe:
Check the pupils to see whether they are attentive and lucid and that no crust has formed on their lips or eyes.
Verify that the tail is intact and without defects. Take a look over the whole body for any cuts and blemishes. Gently rub the skin to ensure that it is in excellent condition and healthy appearance. The skin’s suppleness should be preserved.
Examine the lizard’s belly by turning it over. No lumps or lacerations should be visible on the skin, the color should be off-white to white.
Make sure the toes and feet are in good condition. For example, the toes should have a complete claw with five toes in each foot. Check for any abnormalities in the toes.
Conclusion
Growing up with pets can be very beneficial. Those who are new to reptiles will find the Bearded Dragon to be an excellent choice. Because of their gentle temperaments, they are simple to handle and care for. People adore them for their “smiling” looks and distinct personalities. Beardies are generally laid-back reptiles with a simple diet. With the proper setup, you can meet their heating and lighting requirements. All the best!
