Bearded Dragons make great pets for reptile enthusiasts. They are easy to care for and can be handled without any problems. Bearded Dragons come in a variety of colors and patterns, and they love to eat a variety of different food items.
While caring for a bearded dragon, it’s important to also consider the needs of other reptiles, such as the green anole, which you can learn more about in this helpful guide on how to care for a green anole.
How to Care for a Bearded Dragon?
When taking care of a Bearded Dragon, it is important to provide them with a diet that consists of both insects and vegetables. Bearded Dragons need plenty of calcium in their diet, so it is important to feed them calcium-rich food items such as crickets, mealworms, and dark leafy greens. It is also important to provide your Bearded Dragon with a water dish that it can drink from.
Bearded Dragons do well when kept in an enclosure that is at least 20 gallons in size. The enclosure should have a spot for the Bearded Dragon to bask in and a place for them to hide. It is also important to provide your Bearded Dragon with UVA and UVB light.
While caring for a bearded dragon, it’s important to also consider the needs of other reptiles, such as a neon day gecko, which you can learn more about in this helpful guide on how to care for a neon day gecko.
What Does a Bearded Dragon Look Like?
Bearded Dragons are, as their name suggests, covered in scales from head to toe. They have a flattened triangular-shaped head and body with a long tail that tapers off. The area around the bearded dragon’s mouth is dark in color and resembles a beard, giving them its unique name.
Bearded Dragon Size
Bearded Dragons typically grow to be between 16 and 24 inches in length from head to tail. Juveniles are usually around 4 or 5 inches long when they hatch, and mature adults can weigh up to 300 grams.
How to Identify Bearded Dragon?
Bearded Dragons can be identified by their unique colors and patterns. Juveniles tend to have a lighter, brighter coloration than adults, with more stripes or spots along the sides of their bodies and faces.
Bearded Dragons also tend to bob their heads and wag their tails when they are excited or happy. This behavior is commonly referred to as “beard-bobbing”. All of these traits should help you to easily identify a Bearded Dragon.
While caring for a bearded dragon, it’s important to also consider the needs of other reptiles, such as the Mediterranean house gecko, which you can learn more about in this helpful guide on how to care for a Mediterranean house gecko.
How Long Does a Bearded Dragon Live?
Bearded Dragons typically live for up to 10 years, provided they are given proper care and nutrition. Poor husbandry practices, such as incorrect temperatures or diet, can drastically reduce the lifespan of a Bearded Dragon. It is important to be aware of your Bearded Dragon’s needs in order to ensure they have a long and healthy life.
Bearded Dragon Lifespan
Bearded Dragons have an average lifespan of 10 years when they are kept in captivity and given proper care. In the wild, however, their lifespan can be significantly shorter due to predation and disease. When kept in captivity, it is important to provide your Bearded Dragon with a habitat that mimics its natural environment as closely as possible.
How Does Bearded Dragon Reproduce?
Males Bearded Dragons have two hemipenes, which are the male reproductive organs. Females have a cloaca, which is an opening used for reproduction, urination, and defecation. When a male and female Bearded Dragon is ready to mate, the male will approach the female from behind and deposit his sperm into her cloaca. The eggs will then be fertilized internally and the female will lay them in a nesting area after about two months.
Life Cycle of Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons have a typical life cycle of hatching, growing, and breeding. When the eggs hatch, the baby dragons are about 4 to 5 inches long and weigh only 1 or 2 grams. As they grow, their size will increase dramatically over time. Juveniles go through a series of physical maturation processes that must take place before they reach adulthood. Once they reach adult size, Bearded Dragons are ready to mate and reproduce.
Bearded Dragon’s Temperament
Bearded Dragons are generally gentle, curious creatures that make great pets. They can be handled and held easily as long as they feel safe and secure. Bearded Dragons love to explore their environment and interact with their owners.
Can I Keep a Bearded Dragon as a Pet?
Yes, Bearded Dragons make wonderful pets. They are gentle and curious creatures that can be easily handled and held. It is important to provide them with a habitat that mimics their natural environment as closely as possible and to feed them an appropriate diet of insects and vegetables.
How to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
Bearded Dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both insects and vegetables. A diet of crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, wax worms, super worms, silkworms, earthworms, and/or other feeder insects should make up the majority of their diet. Vegetables that Bearded Dragons enjoy include collard greens, mustard greens, kale, dandelion greens, and other dark leafy greens.
What Does the Bearded Dragon Eat?
Bearded Dragons are omnivores and enjoy a diet of crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, wax worms, super worms, silkworms, earthworms, and other feeder insects. They also enjoy vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, kale, dandelion greens, and other dark leafy greens.
Fruits should be fed sparingly due to their high sugar content. Bearded Dragons also require a calcium supplement regularly in order to stay healthy. Finally, they need access to fresh water at all times.
How Often to Feed Bearded Dragon?
Bearded Dragons should be fed every day, or at least every other day. Juveniles can usually be fed 2-3 times a day, while adults should only be fed once a day. It is important to provide them with an appropriate amount of food that they can finish in one sitting so as not to leave uneaten food in their enclosure.
The Danger of Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons can be a danger to themselves and those around them when they are not handled properly. They have sharp claws that can cause scratches or puncture wounds if they are mishandled. It is also important to ensure any items in their enclosure, such as branches or rocks, are stable so they do not tip over and injure the dragon.
Is a Bearded Dragon Poisonous?
No, Bearded Dragons are not poisonous. They may have sharp claws which can cause scratches or puncture wounds if they are mishandled, but they do not possess any type of venom that is toxic to humans. It is important to handle them with care and provide them with a safe environment as they can be injured if handled inappropriately or exposed to unsafe elements.
Can You Die From a Bearded Dragon Bite?
Despite their docile disposition, a bearded dragon bite can be painful and even dangerous if left untreated. While it is unlikely that a bearded dragon bite could cause death, there are risks to consider if you or someone in your home has been bitten by one of these lizards.
In general, bearded dragon bites are not fatal unless the person who is bitten has a weakened immune system due to another medical condition. The bacteria and viruses in the saliva of any reptile can cause an infection if not treated with antibiotics or other medication immediately after the bite occurs.
Can a Bearded Dragon Bite You?
Yes, a bearded dragon can bite you if it feels threatened or provoked. Bearded dragons are generally docile and gentle creatures, but they have sharp teeth and strong jaws that can cause painful bites if mishandled or handled too roughly.
Do Bearded Dragon Bites Hurt?
Yes, a bearded dragon bite can be quite painful. Bearded dragons have long teeth and strong jaws that enable them to deliver an intense bite. The pain from the bite itself is usually minor and short-lived, but there may also be swelling and redness around the area of the bite.
The Housing of Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are gentle and easy-going reptiles that make great pets. One of the most important factors in keeping a bearded dragon healthy is its housing. The right setup for a bearded dragon’s habitat will help ensure its well-being and longevity, so it is essential to take time to create the perfect environment for your pet.
Heating and Lighting for a Bearded Dragon
In order to create an optimal environment for a bearded dragon, it is important to provide both heating and lighting. The temperature of the habitat should be around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a basking area that is considerably warmer. The light source should be placed in an area where the dragon can bask in the heat and UVB light. If the proper conditions are not met, a bearded dragon may become sick or lethargic.
What are Common Health Problems of Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are generally hardy and healthy, but they can be prone to certain health problems. Common issues that bearded dragons may face include metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, parasites, skin infections, and digestive issues. It is important to monitor your dragon for any signs of illness or injury and seek veterinary help if necessary.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can make wonderful pets and companions, as they are intelligent and gentle creatures. With the right care, a well-maintained bearded dragon can live up to 10 years or more. By understanding their housing needs, providing appropriate nutrition and regular veterinary checkups, you can ensure your bearded dragon stays happy and healthy for many years to come.