If you are interested in owning a pet lizard, one species you might want to consider purchasing is the Bearded Dragon. Commonly referred to as "beardies" by those who own them, Bearded Dragons tend to be quite tame and are relatively easy lizards to care for.Since they are generally calm in nature, they are also a good choice for families with children who are looking for an exotic pet, though it is important to be certain to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap after handling a Bearded Dragon as you should with any reptile. This precaution can protect you and prevent the transmission of salmonella.
Recognizing a Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons have a very distinctive look, as their heads are broad and triangular in shape. In addition, they have what appears to be many spikes running along the bottom of their chin, though these spikes are not harmful or painful in any way. When the Bearded Dragon feels threatened or intimidated, however, it will expand this pouch in order to look larger and more menacing. Hence, the name "bearded" dragon.
Creating the Proper Housing for Your Bearded Dragon
When creating the proper housing for your Bearded Dragon, it is important to remember that these reptiles are native to dry habitats that are sparsely vegetated. Therefore, care should be taken to recreate this same type of habitat in your home. While a baby bearded dragon will be happy in a 20 gallon long tank, it is best to use a tank that is at least 40 gallons long or more for an adult bearded dragon. This way, your pet will have plenty of room to run around and comfortably explore its habitat.
In addition to having enough room to move about, your Bearded Dragon will also need areas where it can bask and absorb heat. Therefore, rocks and logs should be added to the habitat as well. Finely sifted play sand or calcium sand should be used to cover the bottom of the habitat. These sands can be purchased at nearly any pet store. It is important to never use sand from the beach or from your yard, as this sand can contain parasites and other potentially dangerous additives that could harm your pet.
Finally, you will need to pay special attention to obtaining the proper lighting and heating for your Bearded Dragons. You will need a UVB light such as the Repti-Sun 10.0. Your pet will need to receive 12 to 14 hours of UVB light each day in order to prevent the development of certain diseases, such as Metabolic Bone Disease. It is also a good idea to use a heat lamp to keep one side of the enclosure warmer than the other. This way, your Bearded Dragon can move from one side of the enclosure to the other in order to better regulate its body temperature.
Feeding Your Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat fruits and vegetables as well as insects. Ideally, your pet's diet should consist of about 80% plant matter and 20% insect. Some insects Bearded Dragons enjoy include:
• Butterworms
• Crickets
• Hormworms
• Locusts
• Phoenix worms
• Roaches
• Silkworms
• Superworms
Some vegetables you may want to feed your Bearded Dragon include:
• Cabbage
• Carrot tops
• Collard greens
• Dandelion greens
• Escarole
• Kale
• Mustard greens
• Parsley
• Spring greens
• Turnip greens
While fruit can also benefit Bearded Dragons, it is important to stay away from citric fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit as these fruit can be potentially fatal to your pet.
I just want to add that a leopard gecko is the other reptile that is easy to handle. Another thing I want to add is that lighting is an important element of other reptiles' being, such as diurnals like the bearded dragon. These NEED the light without question. Some might now know much about florescent lighting and its dangers. This article is widely circulated about the UV lighting: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
My only complaint is that I would like a more recent update. Because Zilla was one of the brands that had problems in their desert series and I bought the new ones they re-did and I have none of the problems people experienced before.
Last few things I want to say. First, bearded dragons are solitary, so try not to put more than one in a tank. Second, forums are a wonderful place to go get information and caresheets, too. Especially if you're new. Unknowingly letting a herp get sick or die is just as bad as doing it intentionally.