caring for bearded dragon lizards

Caring for

Bearded Dragon LizardsJoselyn Rhodes

http://www.CaringForBeardedDragon.com

http://www.caringforbeardeddragon.com/

Bearded Dragon Overview

• Caring for bearded dragon lizards is relatively easy when compared to other reptiles. They are famous for having a mild temperament, a fondness of human interaction, hardy bodies, and low maintenance. It is also fairly inexpensive to purchase everything you need, with a complete set up with lizard included costing around $200 - $300. These facts have made the Pogona vitticeps one of the most in demand reptiles on the market these days.



Origins

Beardies all originate from the outback of Australia, thus requiring a hot, dry habitat to

flourish within captivity. In total, there are currently 8 species of Pogona currently known and credited, while only three or four can be found in the pet trade today. This is in part to

Australia's laws against the gathering and exporting of any wildlife, and because not all

species can thrive in captivity.http://www.CaringForBeardedDragon.com


These lizards start out quite small, but can grow up to two feet in length as adults. Therefore, they require a cage of at least 2'x2'x4' to have adequate room to maneuver. A baby can survive in a smaller tank at first, but only for a couple months.



• For babies and juveniles I use newspaper as substrate because it is safe, cheap and easy to clean. For juveniles and adults you can stick with the newspaper or go with reptile carpet or tile. I suggest to stay away from loose substrates. There is a risk that you pet will ingest it and become impacted, an ailment that can quickly become a huge issue.



Accessorize

• For "furniture" you'll need a food dish, water dish, rocks/logs to climb and a large enough cave for your lizard to retreat to. You can add tons of different cosmetic options, but keep in mind that you will need to clean everything often, insects will hide and die in any nook and cranny, and your pet may get crowded. Keep it simple.



Temperatures

• Next you will need a couple thermostats. I use an indoor/outdoor model that comes with a probe and hygrometer feature included. I stick the probe where my basking area will be, and put the unit itself on the cool end of the enclosure to get an accurate reading of both sides at all times. You need a heat gradient ranging from 70F -80F on the cool side, and 80F - 90F on the warm side. You will also need a basking area capable of reaching temps upwards of 115F.



Next you will need a couple thermostats. I use an indoor/outdoor model that comes with a probe and hygrometer feature included. I stick the probe where my basking area will be, and put the unit itself on the cool end of the enclosure to get an accurate reading of both sides at all times. You need a heat gradient ranging from 70F -80F on the cool side, and 80F - 90F on the warm side. You will also need a basking area capable of reaching temps upwards of 115F.



• For babies you'll want your basking spot around 105F, 100F for Juveniles and around 95F - 100F for adults. To achieve this heat you will need a light bulb and fixture. What bulb you will need depends on your specific scenario. I use a regular household bulb, but sometimes need to switch to a "basking bulb" in the cooler months. Just play around with different positioning and wattage until you find what works for you.



UV Lighting

• Next you will need a fluorescent UV bulb. I suggest the reptisun 10.0 bulb and hood, as it is currently one of the best available. You'll want this bulb to span the length of the enclosure and be positioned to within 12" of your pet. These bulbs don't produce much heat, but they are essential in creating vitamins within bearded dragons bodies.



Buy Your Beardie

• Now you are ready to purchase your bearded dragon. Be sure to check several different stores and breeders before making your final decision. Take note of the cleanliness of the facilities and the enclosure. Check the beardie thoroughly for any injuries, parasites and overall healthiness. Ask plenty of questions of the seller including age, diet, temperatures and so on.



Diet

• After you decide on the perfect beardie, you will need some food. Dark greens such as collards, turnip and kale should be available to all ages at all times. Chop all veggies to be smaller then the space between the eyes of your dragon, and mist them for more hydration.



Feeding Tips

• Buy insects that are also small enough for your lizard. You will want to gut-load the crickets by feeding them vegetables or cricket feed for 24-48 hours before giving them to your bearded dragon. Feed them as many as they will eat within 10-15 minutes. Remove any uneaten insects as they can bite your beardie and contaminate the enclosure by defecating on everything.



Supplements

• You should also keep a jar of calcium dust and multivitamin supplements handy to apply to your lizard food. Calcium should be dusted on insects or sprinkled on vegetables at least 5x a week. Apply the multivitamin on the feedings between the calcium. Do not use them at the same time, as certain supplements in the multivitamin will cancel the effect of the calcium.



Finally, get a stool sample checked out by your vet at least twice a year, and a physical at least once. Clean all items within your

enclosure with a bleach water solution every other week to keep things sanitary. That is about all there is to caring for bearded

dragons. Once you have the initial enclosure set up, it is really a breeze.



caring for bearded dragon lizards

Lifestyle

basking bulb

bearded dragon overviewcaring

basking area capable

light bulb

basking spot

fluorescent uv bulb

bearded dragons bodies

cool end