From Feeding To Habitat | The Definitive Bearded Dragon Care Guide
Bearded dragons are most native to the deserts of Australia. They are part of the Agamidae family which you can call the sister family of Iguanian lizards because of their striking similarities. However, you will recognize a bearded dragon because of its distinctive broad triangular-shaped head and relatively flat body. Their jaws and torsos are lined with thorn-like scales. However, Bearded dragons are excellent pets and one of the easiest ones to take care of. Keep going through this article if you want to know more about them.
Story Behind The Name
These lizards get their name from the pouch on their throat. When a bearded dragon feels threatened, it usually flares up its pouch, which makes it larger than it really is. The throat area will also darken to a blackish-purple color which resembles a beard. That’s how it gets its name. Today, most of the dragons available in the pet trade are inland or central bearded dragons. But in general, there are around eight species of bearded dragon.
Why Are Bearded Dragons Considered Excellent Pets?
Bearded dragons have become very popular among many pet owners and pet lovers in recent times. These dragons have even outranked iguanas as the most sought-after lizard pet available. There are many reasons why bearded dragons are such popular pets. In this article, we will make you familiar with a few, but eventually, you will figure it all out on your own when you start having one as your pet.
Calm Behavior
Bearded dragons are renowned for their calm behavior; they are easily manageable and love to be picked up and handled once they get used to their owner. This strong relationship is one of the main reasons why it is such a popular pet.
Easy To Maintain
You do not need too much to maintain these lizards. Their dietary needs are not as particular as other lizards. You just need to make a little time to clean and maintain their habitat daily.
Small Size And Unique Appearance
One of the most attractive features of this species is its appearance. They have a cool dinosaur-like look, and they come in a variety of different colors. Many of them are available in different shades like red, orange, yellow, and sometimes even pastel. Another unique feature of dragons is they are relatively small, and they grow around only 8 to 24 inches in adulthood. This small figure allows them to be easily handled.
Long Life Span
Bearded Dragons live around 15 years, and they have robust health. They are not as fragile as other reptiles such as turtles or chameleons. Now that we have known the basics let’s dive into some useful facts that will make it easier for you to keep a bearded dragon as a pet.
Spot And Select A Healthy Bearded Dragon
You must choose a healthy bearded dragon. This is a very crucial step. You never want to purchase a sick or unhealthy dragon because you will easily feel sorry after buying a sick one or hurting your baby bearded dragon. But it’s extremely difficult as an amateur to pick a healthy beard, so here are some tips while choosing one.
When choosing a bearded dragon, it’s best to observe and pick. First, you need to look and see if your bearded dragon is in a place that is well-maintained. The place should not be overpopulated, and it should be a relatively clean place. After checking the habitat, pick the bearded dragon with clear and alert eyes. It should be active and not lethargic. It should have an appetite for both insects and vegetables. You also need to ensure that the skin has no bruises or dark spots. Finally, there should be five toes on each foot with claws, and the tail should not be missing.
Diet And Nutrition Requirements
Now, you do not need to worry much about the diet and nutrition of bearded dragons as they have a wide palette range and their tastes vary. But the main concern is they have different dietary needs at various stages of their life. Any dragon up to four to five years of age is considered a baby dragon. This is a stage where the babies grow rapidly, so you should feed them food with enough nutrients and minerals.
Their diet should have 20 to 40 percent of vegetables and 60 to 80 percent of insect feeders. It is considered juvenile when a bearded dragon is 5 to 18 months of age. Therefore, there will be an increase in the number of vegetables and insect feeders offered. And while feeding adults, it’s slightly different from babies and juveniles. For example, it requires more leafy vegetables and fewer insect feeders.
Bearded Dragon Housing
Suitable habitat is very necessary. For example, a bearded dragon needs to have a habitat with proper temperature and enough basking space. It is said that the right habitat is the key to keeping healthy lizards.
Final Thoughts
So, these are all the primary information you need to know about bearded dragons. We hope this article has been insightful, and now you are confident about keeping a bearded dragon as a pet. Of course, you will need to know more advanced information about them when you bring them home. We are going to cover those as well for you. Stay tuned.
