Bearded dragon care sheet pogona species bearded dragons make excellent pet lizards due to their calm temperament and ease of handling. The complete bearded dragon care sheet tips, guidelines. Bearded dragons are naturally found throughout the hot outback desert of australia. Bearded dragon care sheet introduction welcome to our bearded dragon care sheet. Bearded dragon care sheet caging needed 1020 gallon terrarium with secure lid. But once your bearded dragon is a bit more mature, hell enjoy vegetables, too. Often seen climbing upon rocky outcrops or fallen trees, bearded dragons love basking in the australian sun. How to care for bearded dragons this is our complete bearded dragon care guide.
They grow up to two feet in length and can live up to 15 years. Bearded dragons require fullspectrum uvb lighting, spread evenly throughout the tank, for 1214 hours per day as well as a basking bulb positioned over a rock, branch, or reptile hammock. They need a wide variety of safe vegetables and they also need the correct supplements. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroaches. It is known for being alert, hardy and tame, and bearded dragon owners love watching their lizards, whether during a feeding frenzy while chasing crickets or simply interacting with each other. Often seen climbing upon rocky outcrops or fallen trees, bearded dragons love basking in the. Lighting since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs.
For teachers and educators beardeddragonfactsheet2. Bearded dragons are of least concern on the endangered species list, and actually thrive in the pet trade and make great animal companions. Bearded dragons make a wonderful pet for both beginners and advanced reptile keepers. This care sheet consists of all the valuable information thats available on our site, except we have put it into an easy to follow manual. Care of the australian bearded dragon native to the australian desert, bearded dragons pogona vitticeps are members of the family agama that includes frilled dragons chlamydosoaurus kingii and asian water dragons hydrosaurus amboinensis. The ultimate bearded dragon care guide for beginners. May 31, 2017 bearded dragons are very docile and make great pets. The age is also important, as newly hatched bearded dragons are not so robust as is the case for most newly born animals.
Select a terrarium that houses your reptile individually. This bearded dragon care sheet will cover everything you need to know on raising healthy and happy bearded dragons. Select a terrarium that houses your reptile individually if you have more than one and is fitted safely with a screened lid. We will take you down each step of bearded dragon husbandry from setting up the enclosure to organizing a consistent feeding schedule.
You can choose a reputable breeder or reptile shop but there are likely to. For advice on how to look after a bearded dragon download our bearded dragon care sheet pdf 350kb. Vegetation includes turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, and. Their scientific name is pogona vitticeps, and they belong to the family of agamidae along with thorny devils, water dragons, and other cool frogheaded lizards they get their common name from the spiky growths under their necks, which will puff up and turn black when the lizard is excited. It is quite common for bearded dragons to be missing a toe or a piece off their tail, but make sure these are old wounds and thoroughly healed. They are also available in a number of attractive colour and pattern morphs. They are smart, fun, and curious and are considered the most docile creatures among the lizard world. We do not recommend housing bearded dragons together or with any other type of animal unless you are experienced in doing such. Caring for an australian bearded dragon university of miami. If you havent been given a caresheet hopefully this page will help you. Bearded dragons are very docile and make great pets. Bearded dragon pogona vitticeps average size average lifespan diet feeding housing 20 24 inches long 8 15 years bearded dragons are omnivores, although they eat mostly insects. There will be a downloadable pdf version of this care sheet at the end.
Bearded dragons care sheet pogona vitticeps introduction these gentle beasts are from australia but are now readily available due to their willingness to breed in captivity. Behavior and socialization bearded dragons, or beardies, are diurnal, which means that, like most of us, they are up during the day. Below is a list of all the items to keep your new dragon happy and healthy. Omnivores pellets, meat, crickets, earthworms, leafy greens and vegetables temperature. By downloading chris johnsons guide, you will get the best guide in taking care of your bearded dragon. This is because of bearded dragons are super adorable, they showed truly different personalities and they can be highly domesticated. Bearded dragon care including diet, set up and more rspca. Bearded dragons are omnivores they eat both plants and meat. As wild animals in captivity, its important you keep them in a way that mimics the wild as much as possible. Bearded dragons have a very specific set of requirements in regards to general care, however if all of these elements are provided they thrive in captivity. Our care sheets provide important information about the proper care of your animal. What to use on the bottom of your bearded dragon cage is a highly debated topic namely, to use sand or not.
Multiple hiding areas consisting of nontoxic plants, branches andor hide box. Bearded dragons are omnivores and eat both live food and finely shredded fruits and vegetables. Select a terrarium that houses your reptile individually if. Consult more than one source and make up your own mind. Central bearded dragon care sheet general information the central or inland bearded dragon pogona vitticeps is wide spread throughout central australias arid woodlands and deserts. Bearded dragons, or beardies, are one of the most popular lizards in captivity in the uk. Some care sheets like to say that hatchling dragons should have 80% of their diet be insects and 20% be vegetables, and gradually transition to an adult diet of 80% vegetables and only 20% insects. Affectionately called beardies, they are easy to care for and have great personalities.
To do this you must have everything needed before you bring your new pet home. This does not mean that this is the beardie bible and the only way to keep and care for them. Its not as easy as buying a tank or building an enclosure, there are several very important essentials that need to be factored in when constructing a total habitat. The male will puff up this beard as a sign of dominance and defense. Adult males up to 2 feet in length including tail origin. Bearded dragons dont drink often, however providing a water bowl is recommended.
To create a basking zone, the warmest part that the reptile can reach, position a 60 to 100 watt light bulb. Any bearded dragon care sheet should mention using sand as a substrate. All baby beardies will have been fed on crickets check with the breeder what size he is eating. The most common species kept as a pet is the inland. Bearded dragon care sheet stanhope park veterinary hospital. Pref 4ft x 18 x 18 uv lighting 1012% 23 length of tank. Feeding your dragon is the next most important factor, but isnt as simple as throwing a dozen crickets in the cage. The inland bearded dragon is generally considered one of the alltime best lizard pets. If they are fed and housed properly, they can provide many years of companionship. It contains everything you need to know to be able to properly care for any bearded dragon regardless of age. Client educationbearded dragon care of the australian bearded dragon native to the australian desert, bearded dragons pogona vitticeps are members of the family agama that includes frilled dragons chlamydosoaurus kingii and asian water dragons hydrosaurus amboinensis. Bearded dragons are a type of ancient lizard, originally from the deserts of central australia. Bearded dragons originate from dry bushland and desert regions of australia.
Bearded dragons need light to be able to detect heat. These charismatic lizards from down under are friendly and relatively easy to care for. No matter how well you take care of your dragon, they may get sick or hurt and you will need a vet who treats reptiles, not all do. You are the one that ultimately decides how to properly care for.
Dont trouble yourself with this unhelpful, and unnecessarily confusing diet. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. When you buy your bearded dragon the breeder or pet shop should give you a care sheet to tell you how to look after him. Bearded refers to a flap of skin under the chin that they extend when disturbed.
As a recap, you need to make sure you have a big enough tank for them, the correct lighting, proper heating, the correct substrate, bathing, and last but not least the correct diet. This care sheet is made up from what i have learned from years of research and keeping these animals. Bearded dragons are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. So, hopefully, this bearded dragon caresheet helped you take care of your bearded dragon. If you are interested in getting a reptile as a pet, bearded dragons are hard to beat. Use a 20 gallon long terrarium for juvenile bearded dragons. This care sheet consists of all the valuable information thats available on. There are several closely related species refered to as bearded dragons but the one most commonly kept as a pet is the central bearded dragon pogona vitticeps.
Bearded dragons need to be offered live insects and vegetables daily. A glass or plexiglass aquarium or terrarium makes a good firstpermanent habitat for a beardie. Make sure to clean his water and food bowl regularly. Spot light pref with thermostat and heat mat length of tank or ceramic heating with thermostat for larger tanks. Bearded dragons can grow to between 16 to 24 inches long. My favorite book on the topic is the bearded dragon. The care sheet is split up into ten pages, each on a different topic.
Before acquiring a bearded dragon you must be sure that you are able to provide the correct care and associated costs for its whole life. It is well worth the effort to find and talk to a vet who treats reptiles before you need one. Bearded dragons are ectotherms, so they must depend on the temperature of their environment to achieve and maintain proper body heat. Care sheet for the inland bearded dragon lizard pogona vitticeps. Teacher will purchase supplies then submit receipts to the pet care trust for reimbursement. Bearded dragons are named for the spiky folds of skin around the neck which inflate and turn black when they feel excited or threatened. Their scientific name is pogona vitticeps, and they belong to the family of agamidae along with thorny devils, water dragons, and other cool frogheaded lizards. Bearded dragon care sheet everything you need to know. Others like the bearded dragon manual by vosjoli and mailloux.
Each aspect below is prioritized in order of how significant it is to a bearded dragon s complete. Bearded dragons eat a diet of live invertebrates insects and vegetables. To create a basking zone, the warmest part that the reptile can reach, position a 60 to 100 watt light bulb at one end of the enclosure pointing downwards. That is just one of the many reasons that they are the most popular lizard. To facilitate shedding, bathe in a large container that allows the bearded dragon to immerse its entire body, or provide a shed box, a hide box with sphagnum moss, that will aid in the shedding process. While bearded dragons are simple to house and care for, you must stick to a routine. This bearded dragon care sheet will cover just about everything you need. They dont get too large, eat a wide variety of foods, are active during the day, and are gentle.
They are hardy and longlived when properly cared for and attain a manageable adult size of around 18 45cm. For example, the bearded dragon typically needs a 40gallon terrarium or larger. Its easy to find good deals on new and used aquariums and terrariums. All bearded dragons available are now captive bred. If a bearded dragon picks up its food from the bottom of the tank, and youve laid down sand, a significant amount of sand may be digested over time. These friendly animals are captive bred, have limited care requirements, are readily available, and inexpensive.
Found in the temperate to tropical arid to semiarid woodland, shrublands and hummock grasslands. You are the one that ultimately decides how to properly care for your pet. A comprehensive guide on caring for your bearded dragon. Owning a bearded dragon is a long commitment, as they usually live for about 15 years. Due to their placid nature and hardiness, these lizards have found themselves becoming more popular as pets. This care sheet will outline the steps to care for these cool pets. You want a bearded dragon and want to make sure it receives proper care. Here is what you need to know and how to expect to care for your fun, new family member. Providing adequate temperature gradients within a dragons enclosure is essential for their health and wellbeing. Jeanne melanson, shirley, 122014 enclosure substrate. They are usually eventempered and seem to tolerate human interaction. Use a heat lamp and uvbemitting bulbs during the day and a low wattage red bulb for night. Youll need two good quality thermometers to maintain a proper temperature gradient.
It is well known that bearded dragons love the attention and handling. Dependent upon the size of your reptile, you will need to adjust the housing needs of your creature as it grows. Bearded dragon care sheet complete bearded dragon care sheet. Their name comes from the spiny scaled area that covers their throat. Multiple hiding areas consisting of nontoxic plants, branches andor. The most common species kept as a pet is the inland bearded dragon, pogona vitticeps the inland bearded dragon is sometimes referred to as the central, or yellowheaded bearded dragon. For the top seller in the reptile genre in the industry of pets, we present, the bearded dragons.