Pets provide comfort and companionship to both kids and adults. People usually think of dogs and cats and small rodents such as gerbils and hamsters when deciding what pet to get.
However, some adventurous individuals may prefer to indulge their curiosity by owning a pet with a unique personality, such as a lizard. To be more precise, a Bearded Dragon.
If this is you, and you’re looking for information before purchasing, then the article below will provide insight into what owning such a fascinating creature involves.
Behavior and Temperament
One advantage to owning a bearded dragon is that it sleeps at night and is active during the day. This means that you’ll have ample opportunity to engage and bond with your new pet lizard.
Despite having many angular spikes and scales that make them look like mini dinosaurs, bearded dragons are usually docile and enjoy being handled.
It’s not unusual to see them pacing back and forth in their enclosure trying to attract their owner’s attention.
We are assuming that this beared dragon lives on its own, as it can be a fraught situation when you add another to the mix. We cover things to look at when housing two bearded dragons together.
Bearded dragons tend to exhibit some peculiar behaviors that sometimes concern new owners. The following information will help put your mind at ease by providing the meaning behind these little quirks.
Arm Waving
The way your dragon waves its arm may appear like it’s saying hi to you. In a way, it is. According to experts, bearded dragons use their arms to display their non-threatening nature in the wild. It’s considered an indication of submission, like when a dog rolls on its back to get its belly tickled.
Head Bobbing
Head bobbing occurs for several reasons and is rarely a cause for concern. It could be your pet is trying to assert its dominance over you, their environment, or another animal in your home. Bobbing of the head is also commonly observed during mating season, mostly in males but sometimes in females.
Glass Surfing
Bearded dragons who scratch at their glass do so for many reasons. They may simply be interacting with their reflection, which they could see as a threat. You can use a background to cover your enclosure’s back and side areas to minimize the scratching in this instance.
Another explanation could be that they do not see the glass as an obstacle and are trying to find a place to hide. Check the set-up of your tank and make sure your dragon has enough places to shelter.
It could be a sign they want to spend some time outside of the tank rather than seeking shelter. Now is your chance to build a bond between you and your lizard.
It may be that their habitat is stressing them out because of inadequate lighting, or their housing is too small. Because of where the tank is positioned, your reptile might feel intimidated by another pet of yours it can see.
Although not all bearded dragons lay eggs, those that do may display glass surfing behavior when the time is right. Usually, this behavior is accompanied by digging and happens when a dragon reaches the age of two.
Color Changing
Bearded dragons possess pigmented cells called Chromatophores. These cells allow them to change color in response to their environment. A dragon’s color can also change as it ages, warms up, or when happy.
Unexpected and dramatic changes in color could indicate something is amiss with your bearded dragon. Whenever they start to darken their bodies, it could be because they’re cold and trying to attract warmth.
It could also be a sign of stress. Perhaps something in their tank has recently changed that has caused them to feel uneasy. Have you recently gotten a new pet, or are there live feeders in the tank that are biting your dragon?
The lifespan of a Bearded Dragon
It’s essential you know bearded dragons can live for 15 years or more before purchasing one. Bare this in mind when taking ownership of a bearded dragon, particularly if you’re a young teenager. You may have to pass the responsibility of looking after it onto someone else later if you leave for college or university.
Housing a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons should be kept in vivariums that measure as close to 4 x 2 x 2ft (width x depth x height). The objective is to maintain the temperature gradient required by these reptiles. Choose a wooden vivarium, mainly if you live in a cold climate. They are better insulated against the cold and help maintain a consistent temperature.
Furthermore, look for ones with large vents and sliding glass doors to allow the flow of heat from one side of the tank to the other and to maintain a consistent temperature in the basking area.
Heating and Lighting
In the wild, bearded dragons spend a lot of time basking in the sun. Therefore, you need to install a basking lamp on one side of the enclosure that roughly covers a third of the tank.
To ensure your dragon maintains a clear day and night cycle, turn off all the lights in the enclosure at night. Keep the basking area at 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 80 degrees at the other end. A dimming thermostat will ensure these temperatures remain constant throughout the day. You need to leave the basking lamp on for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Although it drops cooler during the night, make sure that one end of the tank is kept at around 80 degrees. The other side can remain at room temperature. The warm end of the enclosure can be equipped with a ceramic lamp controlled by a pulse thermostat to ensure these temperatures are consistent during the night.
Alternatively, you can use a mechanical timer for your UVB tube and a basking lamp. These are useful if you want your heating and lighting to operate automatically. Your thermostat will only provide heat to your ceramic lamp if it drops below the desired temperature.
Bearded dragons should have lighting that mimics what they would receive in the wild. You must use UVA and UVB output lights in their enclosure to simulate the ultraviolet light found in the desert.
Substrate
Bearded dragons are native to Australian deserts, so they need a dry, low-humidity substrate. Substrates can be divided into two types: loose particles and non-particles. Popular examples of loose particle substrate include:
- Play sand and calcium sand
- Pellets
- Millet
- Wood chip/shaving
While these substrates are popular, many owners of bearded dragons avoid using them due to the risk of impaction. The loose particles are easily ingested, and if they come into contact with a dragon’s eyes, they could cause a severe infection.
If you insist on using one of these loose particle substrates, ensure you keep a close eye on your bearded dragon and avoid using them entirely with reptiles of a very young age.
As the name implies, non-particle substrates contain no particles and are solid. Some of the more common ones include:
- Reptile carpet
- Ceramic tile
- Rubber liner
- Newspaper
Reptile carpet is affordable, easy to spot, clean, and long-lasting. It’s also easy on the eye. However, some people may not like it as it’s unnatural and can harbor bacteria if not cleaned regularly.
Sandstone-colored tiles provide a natural look, and there’s no risk of impaction. Additionally, they are excellent heat conductors and can last for a long time, providing value for money in the long run. However, some tiles are poor heat conductors. Seek professional advice before purchasing.
Newspaper is cheap and unlikely to cause impaction, although it could be ingested if torn up. You will need to change it every day even though it is easy to clean, as you just simply throw it away. Newspapers’ unnatural and bland appearance often deters people from using them.
Rubber liners eliminate the risk of impaction and are easily cleaned and maintained by simply wiping them down with a cloth. To replace a liner, simply cut it to size and shape, place it in the tank, and you’re done. You can purchase liners in various colors and textures, which allow you to create several different habitats for your pet.
Even though the liners are cheap, they need to be replaced periodically. They also offer very little cushioning should your bearded dragon fall from a height.
Tank Decoration
One of the best things you can provide a bearded dragon is space. For this reason, don’t overcrowd your enclosure with items that offer no benefit.
You need to provide them with a basking area, which can be a rock or a cork log on which they can climb. As they love climbing, you can also add a hammock if space permits.
To enable your dragon to escape the heat, spend time alone, or take a nap, you should provide them with a hide, burrow, or cave.
Flagstone not only looks great, but its rough texture is perfect for keeping your reptile’s claws filed down. Furthermore, these stones are great heat absorbers, making for excellent basking areas.
Food and Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivores. They eat both meat and vegetables. Their diet should replicate what they would eat in the wild, consisting of meat, vegetables, fruit, and weeds. Your bearded dragon gets his source of meat from live insects. Here is a list of some of what they can eat:
- Crickets
- King worms
- Waxworms
- Earthworms
- Locust
- Silkworms
- Dubai Roaches
- Phoenix Worms
- Butterworms
In addition to your dragon’s protein intake, it also needs sufficient vitamins and minerals found in the following fruit and vegetables.
Food chart for a Bearded Dragon
| Fruit | Vegetables | Greens | Weeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watermelons | Peas | Spring greens | Dandelion |
| Apples | Green beans | Kale | Cats ear |
| Figs | Courgettes | Collards | Dead nettle |
| Mango | Butternut Squash | Parsley | Plantain |
| Dates | Sweet potato | Clover | |
| Papaya | Bell pepper | Dandelion greens | |
| Peaches | Cabbage | Parsnip greens | |
| Plums | Parsnip | Rocket | |
| Apricots | Okra | Corriander | |
| Kiwi | Swiss chard | Watercress | |
| Pears | Asparagus | Floret mix | |
| Blueberries | |||
| Raspberries | |||
| Strawberries | |||
| Grapes | |||
| Raisins |
Certain fruits and vegetables will need to be peeled and cut down to bite-size pieces. Also, ensure you remove pips and seeds.
Foods that can cause harm to your dragon include onion, chives, mushrooms, celery, lemon, orange, spinach, and beet tops. Also, avoid giving them iceberg lettuce as it contains no nutritional value.
In Conclusion
Bearded dragons are friendly creatures and generally extremely docile, making them easy to handle and ideal for beginners and are sociable with other animals. Now you’re armed with all the information you need, your journey into bearded dragon ownership can begin in earnest.
