One of the most popular and unique lizards is the bearded Dragon. It hasn't always been that way. At one time they were very expensive and not many pet stores carried them. Eventually someone figured out how to breed them in captivity. With better availability and a more affordable price their popularity sky-rocketed. Beardies have also hit the big screen. One was featured in the movie Nim’s Island, along with Jodie Foster. Unlike some of the animals in the movie, the bearded dragon, named Fred, was real.
Although lower prices may have created a bigger demand for the Bearded Dragon, what really sells them is their friendly character and ease of care. Our customers often come in to pick up a batch of crickets with a Bearded Dragon perched on their shoulder—they don’t move too quickly unless they have to.
Below are some quick tips to help you decide whether a Bearded Dragon is the right pet for you.
• Fresh water daily
• Bathe once a week in luke warm water
• Disinfect bowls and cage weekly with bleach/water mixture
• Young beardies need to eat twice a day
• Eats various insects and veggies
• 10 gal aquarium for babies - 40 gal for adults
• Provide rocks and sticks for climbing
• Heat source and uv lighting
• Do not use heat rocks, they can burn themselves
• Need to be kept warm, low range 75, high range 95-100
• Screen lid
• Wash hands after handling
Click below on Read More...for basics on Bearded Dragons and their care
Feeding
Young beardies need to eat 2-3 times a day. Give them as many crickets as they can eat in 4-5 minutes (remove uneaten crickets). Provide fresh veggies such as mustard greens, escarole, and collard greens, they even like green beans. Avoid lettuce as a daily food source, especially Ice Burg lettuce—it’s mostly water and has little nutritional value. I spritz the veggies to keep them fresh and it's a good source of water. They also like fruit (get creative), but avoid any and all citrus fruit. Provide a shallow dish of water and keep it at the cool end of the cage.
Housing
A young bearded dragon can be kept temporarily in a 10 gal tank or cage of equivalent size. They do grow quickly, so if you can afford it buy a 40 gal breeder tank. Don't mix adults with young dragons, toes and tails will go missing. Beardies like to climb so place a stick near the heat lamp, but make sure it isn't too hot. Hold your hand under the light, if it feels too hot for you it probably is too hot for the beardie. They will climb out, so a screen lid is a must. Buy the metal lid, plastic always seems to get melted from the heat lamps (Talk with your pet store care specialist about correct lighting and heating for your particular setup).
Provide a natural setting with rocks and climbing sticks. Your set up should include a cool area, 75 degrees or so, and a warm area of at least 90-100 degrees—never greater than 105 degrees. A reliable thermometer is a must. They won’t eat and can’t digest their food without the proper temperature. They tolerate cool temperatures at night 70-75, so be sure to turn off the lights for an 8 hour night time cycle. I use a timer on my setup so I won’t forget to turn the lights off and on.
Indoor outdoor carpeting is absolutely the best medium for your dragon, especially babies. Many use sand successfully, but if they eat the sand they will not be able to digest it and it will cause an impaction. If you are lucky, it will only be a vet bill, not a dead beardie. Most pet stores have carpet pre-cut to fit your tank. I have two pieces, so when I clean the tank I can replace the soiled one with one that'ss dry and clean. Bowls, cage, and carpeting should be cleaned weekly with a bleach solution of ¼ cup bleach to about a gallon of water.
Have fun with your beardie and be sure to take them on outings, but before you do, make sure they will sit safely on your shoulder.
That's the basics and should get you on the right track. If you have any questions you can call Pet Safari at 727-443-0993.