This particular species of Bearded
Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is actually
called the Inland Bearded Dragon, or Central
Bearded Dragon. They are native to Australia, but
have been exported the world over as Bearded Dragons
are one of the most popular pet lizards.
Bearded Dragons can grow quite large
for a pet lizard, with adults reaching lengths of 16
inches to 22 inches. Bearded Dragons have been known
to live for up to 10 years (more in some cases) in captivity.
Know all you need to know about the Bearded
Dragon in the wild.
Take a look at the Bearded
Dragon Pictures we have!
Map of Bearded Dragon Population Range
What should I feed my Bearded Dragon?
Bearded Dragons are omnivorous,
meaning they eat both vegetables and meat. Leafy greens
and small pieces of fruit should make up the majority
of their diet, with a few insect meals per week. For
insects; crickets,
mealworms, silkworms,
butterworms (teboworms), superworms, and wild caught
insects (make sure they are collected from a pesticide-free
area). For baby Bearded Dragons, dust their food, vegetables
or insects with a calcium/multi-vitamin supplement every
feeding. For juvenile bearded dragons, or adults, dust
their food two or three times a week.
Dragons need a dry habitat to live in, but need plenty
of water. Wild Dragons get the majority of their water
from licking the dew of plants in the morning. Misting
the habitat stimulates this behavior. For baby's, it is
recommended to spray the top of their heads until they
stop licking the water up, twice daily. For adults, spray
down the habitat 3 times a week. It is also important
to spray their vegetables, as they will get the water
as they eat. Some Dragons will learn to drink from
a dish, so this can be provided. Make sure you change
and clean the water dish daily. If you live in a humid
area, the water dish can make the humidity levels too
high.
Lighting, Temperature & Humidity
Provide a basking map at one end of the terrarium,
providing a contact temperature of 100 degrees F. It
needs to create a gradient, so make sure there are levels
the Dragon can bask at. It is recommended that you provide
a ceramic heat emitter 24 hours a day. Provide a cool
area (at the other end of the habitat) that is kept
at 80 - 85 degrees F.
At night, do not let the temperature drop below 75 degrees
F. Safe humidity levels is normally 40%. If you live
in a dry area, keeping a water dish in the habitat should
take care of this. Fluorescent lighting should be offered
to provide the Dragon with needed UVB rays. Specialty
UVB bulbs can also be purchased from your local pet
store. A broad-spectrum heat bulb should also be used
at the top. At night time, use a night bulb, either
a blue or red light, which still offers the Dragon a
heat source.
How should I keep my Bearded Dragon cages?
Bearded Dragons are large reptiles, and need
a lot of room to move around. The habitat also should
be larger on the bottom than it is vertically. A 2'
x 3' base should be a minimum, with a larger tank being
recommended. A full-wire habitat is recommended for
all lizards, but a glass aquarium style tank is sufficient
for Dragons, if a screen top is provided. For a substrate,
you can use newspaper or lizard carpet for babies. It
is safe to use play sand when they are adults. Make
sure the sand does not contain pebbles which could cause
harm in ingested. |
