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.
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 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.
They vary from brown to orange depending on the species and morph. Sandfire morphs are closer to a red color, while pastel lizards have a silute pigmentation. Some are also known to come in yellow.
Before you bring your bearded drake home, make sure that it has a place to call home. Make sure that your bearded dragon is provided with heat, UV light, and food. It is essential to test the equipment, in particular the ultraviolet light or basking pads. The temperature should not fluctuate throughout the day. However the humidity should be kept to a minimum.
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.
Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements should also be incorporated into their food to keep them healthy. The best time of day to feed your dragon is the morning as this allows them to digest their food in the warmest part of the day.
We are unable to take him to a vet as yet because the closest exotic one is almost three hours round trip. Since he is still acclimating, we feel that such a rigorous excursion would be quite detrimental as we are trying to settle him into his new enclosure conditions. To put you in the picture, we do use a moderate amount of Repashy Grub Pie or Beardie Buffet daily along with a hearty salad in the morning and then about two dozen medium to large feeder insects later in the afternoon. This is a schedule that he seems to depend upon right now. Since we are using Repashy meal replacements, as well as proper UVB T5 tube lighting, is a full calcium supplement needed. If so, — which one — how much — & how often?
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!!
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.
Bearded dragons require minimal veterinary care when appropriately managed with the correct lighting, temperature, supplements, and diet.
A young bearded dragon (4 to 18 months old) will have a bowel movement every day or so, while you can expect those older than 18 months to poop 1-7 times a week.
Bathing your bearded dragon is important for several reasons. Hydration is one of the biggest ones. Many beardies don't like drinking from bowls, but will happily slurp up their bathwater. Baths are of course also important for hygiene.
Bearded dragons require minimal veterinary care when appropriately managed with the correct lighting, temperature, supplements, and diet.