Gender
It is important to know the sex of your pet in order to watch for and prevent potential problems with egg-laying in the female.
A mature female bearded dragon should be examined by an exotic animal veterinarian at least yearly.
In juvenile stage, there is little difference between male and female bearded dragons. As they approach adult size, the male begins to develop a broader head, and his large black beard becomes apparent in breeding season.
Males also have a thicker tail, enlarged femoral pores along their inner thighs, and a wider cloacal opening. Behavioral differences may be observed, but these are not conclusive for sexing bearded dragons.
Vital Statistics
Length: 18-22 inches
Age of sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Length at sexual maturity: 12-16 inches
Average weight: 10-18 oz.( 283-510 gr.)
Life Span: 10 years
Housing
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Be spacious and easy to clean, with smooth sides to prevent rostral (facial) abrasions.
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Be the size of a 10-gallon tank for baby dragon, adults need large enclosures of 4x ft.
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Be large enough for climbing, exploration, basking
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Contain thick climbing branches or rocks to support heavy- bodied dragons.
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Include large, shallow water tray for soaking.
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Have easy access of food and water containers for frequent cleaning.
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Include acceptable substrates: newspapers, alfalfa pellets, cypress mulch, organic (recycled) cellulose fiber.
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Provide a hiding area, such as a cardboard box or plant pot.
Bearded Dragon's
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Bearded dragons are suitable pets for children because these lizards rarely bite, scratch or whip with their tails. They genuinely respond to gentle handling, and will look you in the eye, eat from your hand, and rest in your lap. A dragon should not be caught or lifted by its tail; its body should be fully supported when it is being held or carried.
Bearded dragons are native to inland Australia, where they have adapted well to life in a warm, dry environment. Free-ranging bearded dragons are omnivorous, consuming a variety of animal and plant items. The most common dragon is the inland bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps. These fascinating reptiles are fast becoming the most popular lizard in the pet industry because of their ease of maintenance , placid disposition, friendly personality, hardiness, and fierce appearance. Bearded dragons maintain a moderate size and enjoy life in captivity as a family pet. Bearded dragons offered for sale are the result of multi-generational breeding in captivity. Several color and pattern varieties are available. Following purchase, a dragon should be taken to an exotic animal veterinarian for a general health check and fecal exam for parasites.
Tips to keep your bearded dragon healthy, happy & safe:
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Quarantine new dragons in a separate area of the house for 3-6 months.
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Dragons housed together should be of similar size, with plenty of space available.
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Monitor body conditions of multiple dragons housed together for signs of stress in subordinate ones.
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Ensure a gradient of temperature in their enclosure, from 70° F to a hot basking spot of around 95°F.
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Expose to unfiltered sunlight or commercial full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs.
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Allow time outdoors when temperature is above 70°F (only in screen enclosure with access to shade and water)
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Consult with your exotic animal veterinarian about supplementation of calcium and vitamin D3
Important to Avoid:
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sand, gravel, corn cob, walnut shell, kitty litter and wood shavings as substrates.
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Potentially toxic live plants.
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Free roam of the house( to prevent chilling, trauma, ingestion of foreign materials, and escapes).
- shared housing between adults and hatchings, as adults may eat hatchings
- Share housing between any two or more dragons of different sizes.
- Potential for direct contact with heating elements.
- over-supplementation of vitamin or minerals
- being fed lighting bugs.
Diet
In captivity, both live prey and salads should be offered to provide a balanced diet for your dragon. Because dragons are active during the day, they should be fed in the morning.
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The dragon's live prey may consist of appropriately sized crickets, superworms (Zophobas), mealworms, wax worms, locusts and pinkie mice. They prey should be fed balanced diets fresh greens for several days before feeding out. Prey should be "dusted" with a vitamin- mineral supplement and calcium. Prey are dusted daily for baby bearded dragons. The frequency of dusting diminishes until adulthood, when prey are supplemented about once every 7 days.
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Salads can consist of chopped mixes of a variety of greens such as romaine, dandelion, turnip greens, mustard greens, beet greens, kale, collards, bok choy, Swiss chard, escarole, spinach and cilantro.
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Vegetable can compromise up to 20% of the diet and can include squash, zucchini, sweet potato, broccoli, peas, beans, okra, and grated carrots. Fruits can make up about 2-5% of the diet and may include papaya, melon and bananas.
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Treats may consist of flower blossoms and infrequent , small amounts of dog food. Commercial pellets are marketed for bearded dragons, but they have not been tested long term.
Most common disorders of Bearded Dragons:
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Intestinal Parasites
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Apetite loss due to: -Improper husbandry-light cycle-too cold temperatures-Endoparasites.
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Gastroenteritis from bacteria, viruses and parasites
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Hypocalcemia and associated bone/muscle disorders from deficiency of calcium and/ or Vitamin D3
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Trauma: Burns from cage heating devices and bulbs
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Fractures(due in part to malnutrition)
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Wounds inflicted by other animals
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Dystocia, egg-binding
Feeding schedule
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Baby bearded dragons are feed twice daily and eat only small moving prey, such as 2-week-old crickets. As a general rule, dragons are feed crickets with a body length no greater than the width of the dragon's head. However, salads should be introduced at this early age so they are accustomed to eating greens and vegetables as they mature. As the dragon grows, the size of the live prey increases and the intake of salads increases.
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Juvenile bearded dragons are growing rapidly and need plenty of food offered daily. Hungry juveniles housed together will nip the toes and tails of their cagemates.
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Adult bearded dragons can be fed daily or every second day and prefer a diet about 55% salad, 20% vegetables and 25% prey.
Water
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Bearded dragons thrive in low humidity. Drinking water should be provided in a shallow bowl or saucer. Dragons will often soak in their water bowl and may defecate in the water. Drinking and soaking bowls should be cleaned at least daily.
Vital Statistics
Length: 18-22 inches
Age of sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Length at sexual maturity: 12-16 inches
Average weight: 10-18 oz.( 283-