That would be my guess, yes! Shedding is a delicate process that can cause some stress in the lizard. It is when they are most vulnerable, so being held is perhaps a bit of an unsettling feeling. In terms of handling I would suggest you wait till the end of the shedding process and then attempt to touch the animal little by little and not during feeding time.
How big can bearded dragons grow? Before you bring one home, it is important to know their maximum growth potential. These reptiles are very adaptable and can grow very large or small depending on their genes. Keep them in 55-gallon tanks or larger. A larger tank will provide more hiding spots and be closer to their natural habitat. You can start your beardie with a smaller tank. However, as they get older, it is a good idea to move to a larger tank.
Some enjoy being outside in natural daylight, if you do decide to do this, make sure to supervise your dragon at all times! A Bearded Dragon opening its mouth and “smiling” excessively may indicate that the tank is too hot.
What Does Bearded Dragons Consume? Bearded Dragons consume vegetables as their main food source. Vegetables provide a lot of nutrients, including calcium. But there are some things you shouldn't give to your bearded. Oxalates found in spinach may cause calcium binding. Oranges are also high in citric acids, which can cause stomach upsets. Carrots are safe for your beardie. However, be aware of the green carrot tops. Zucchini is also safe but it is less nutritious than spinach.
Bearded dragons can display a variety of morphs. These morphs are mainly based on body types, but can also be derived from selective breeding.
When you’re looking for a bearded dragon, it’s important to understand the different morphs. A morph is a genetic mutation that results in certain traits. The most common are color variations. You can see a wide range of colors in beardies, including beiges, browns, and muted tans.
There are other morphs that result from genetics, such as visual morphs. These are inherited traits that are passed down from parents. They’re often the most unique beardie varieties. Some of them are translucent, meaning they have a transparent appearance. Others, such as hypomelanistic, lack melanin, which makes their skin lighter.
Bearded dragons like many other reptiles have specific lighting requirements that can be really confusing, especially for new owners that don’t have previous experience.
Because of that reason, having a good understanding when it comes to lighting the space of your bearded dragon is very important.
You should know there are plenty of options when it comes to lighting for bearded dragons and choosing the wrong setup can be harmful to your pet. However, if you carefully read our guide you will get plenty of information about setting up proper lighting for your pet.
The friendly Bearded Dragon is a great reptile for those who are beginners. They are relatively easy to care for, and their docile temperaments make them easy to handle. They are also beloved for their “smiling” faces and unique personalities.
When they feel threatened, either by a dominant dragon or by a predator, its “beard” will extend to make them appear threatening and much bigger. In captivity, Beardies may show a similar behavior if housed with other dragons, Although they are very friendly with humans, it is best not to house these reptiles together, as they will form a social hierarchy and potentially become aggressive.
Aside from vegetables, bearded dragons will also happily eat insects. In the wild, they eat mostly insects. However, they are also known to forage for leafy greens and flowers. These plants are also a source of protein and are great for their diet.
A side note: What is your position on mealworms as a feeder for beardies? Either I missed it somehow, or you don’t seem to mention this option on either the good or the bad list. Thank you for any wisdom you can share with us regarding these details. Thank you! Its wonderful to find someone who loves their beardies and really understands them. Hector is shedding right now, and he ain’t happy, the spoiled brat!!
Bathing your dragon is not an absolute requirement, but soaking them in lukewarm water 2-3 times per week will help them defecate. When they shed, they do so in several pieces over a couple days. Frequency of shedding depends on diet and time of year.
The different colours of bearded dragons are known as morphs. Each morph has its own unique features. Some of them are more striking than others, whereas others are very rare. The genetic information of these morphs allows herpetologists to selectively breed them to produce stronger patterned offspring.
You must set up your habitat before you can bring the bearded dragon home. You must ensure that the bearded dragon has heat, food, and ultraviolet light. It is important to inspect equipment, particularly the ultraviolet light and basking pad. It is important to maintain a constant temperature throughout the day. But, it is also important to keep the humidity low.
Bearded Dragons can also happily eat insects, in addition to vegetables. In nature, they mostly eat insects. However, they can also forage for leafy greens or flowers. These plants are rich in protein and great for their diet.
A large, semi-arboreal native lizard of Australia, these guys spend their time dwelling partially in the trees and on the ground. Including their tail, they grow to about 15-20 inches long and have spines on either sides on their body that run to the base of their tail.
Males tend to have deeper coloration and more distinct markings than females. They also tend to have a wider tail base. A Bearded Dragon is between 15 to 20 inches long. This may sound big to beginner herpetologists, however, without their tail, their snout to vent size is only 10 inches! An adult will be between 230g and 520g and should reach this weight within 18-24 months.
Bearded Dragons – 12 Fun Facts
Turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, iguanas, and chameleons are some common examples of reptiles that need UVB light. This helps prevent animals from developing hypocalcemia (or lack of calcium). UVB lights should be kept on during the day and turned off at night and should be used along with calcium supplements.
Since bearded dragons are naturally solitary creatures, they do not get lonely if placed alone in a cage or left for some time away from their keeper. They much prefer having their food and heat to themselves rather than sharing it with another bearded dragon.
Many reptiles do cry, including bearded dragons, but they do this because the flow of tears helps to clean out and protect their eyes, not because they are unhappy.