Bearded Dragons as pets
(Pogona vitticeps)

Bearded Dragons are a great choice for first time reptile owners, especially for families with young children that are looking for a reptilian family member. Beardies are medium size reptiles growing 18-24 inches in length. They are generally very calm and easy going if handled when young. Bearded dragons are easily identified by their “beard” of spines underneath their chin, but their name actually comes from their appearance when they feel threatened. If a Bearded Dragon feels threatened in any way the skin underneath its chin turns a dark black color, like a beard. They also have spines all the way down their back and along their sides. Although these spines may look intimidating they are actually fairly soft. These dragons are inquisitive and can often be seen peering out through the glass of their terrarium looking at what is going on in the room around them.


Housing

A young bearded dragon can be as small as 3-4 inches long, however remember how big your reptile will get when full grown. Although a 10 gallon fish tank is sufficient for a baby beardie, he will outgrow this habitat in a few months. It is recommended that you start out with a 20 gallon long fish tank for the first year or so of your reptile’s life and then move up to a 40 gallon breeder tank for a full grown bearded dragon. The bottom of the cage should be covered with Calcium sand as bearded dragons are desert animals. Also, the sand will hold heat to keep your beardie warm. Inside the habitat be sure to have a few branches for your young beardie to climb on as well as a water dish. Most reptiles, including bearded dragons, need two sources of lighting for the habitat. As with all other reptiles, Bearded Dragons are cold blooded. This means that their internal body temperature is controlled by their external environment. For this reason it is essential that you purchase a heat lamp for your new reptile. The heat lamp should be positioned on one side of the habitat to create a basking area for your bearded dragon. The basking temperature should reach 95-105 degrees. The other side of the cage should be around 80-85 degrees during the day. The evening temperature can safely drop to 65-70 degrees. Be sure to have a thermometer under the heat lamp as well as in the cooler side of the tank. The other light source that is needed is a full spectrum UVA/UVB florescent bulb. This light simulates the sunlight for your reptile. Without this full spectrum bulb your reptile cannot properly absorb vitamins or minerals from his food. For larger tanks you can easily find a hood that will house both types of lighting or purchase a mercury-vapor bulb. Although mercury-vapor bulbs are pricey they are the only light source which provides both heat and the full UVA/UVB spectrum.


Food

Juvenile bearded dragons have a diet that is very different from adult bearded dragons, so it is important that you know your dragon’s approximate age. Juvenile beardies require significantly more protein in their diet. Feed your young dragon crickets, dusted with calcium powder, every day. Offer a bowl of finely chopped greens mixed with juvenile bearded dragon food. When your dragon is about 6 months, or 6 inches long, it is time to reduce his cricket intake to once a week. Be sure to offer him fresh veggies on a daily a basis along with Adult bearded dragon food. Healthy veggie choices are collard greens, romaine lettuce, dandelions, squash and green or red peppers. Also, adult bearded dragons love to munch on the occasional Cockroach, available for purchase at The Animal Store.

Vacation

You can board your Bearded Dragon and other pets with The Animal Store to ensure he is properly cared for while you are away.